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1 


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THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 


THE  WOMAN  AND  THE  QUEEN 


AND 


OTHER   SPECIMENS   OF   VERSE. 


BY 

ARTHUR  W.  AUSTIN, 
ii 

OF    WEST    ROXBURY,    MASS. 


CAMBRIDGE : 
PRESS    OF    JOHN    WILSON    AND    SON. 

1875- 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1875,  by 


ARTHUR     W.     AUSTIN 


In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


Cambridge : 
Press  of  John  Wilson  and  Son. 


PREFACE. 


r  I  ^HE  outlines  of  the  story  of  the  WOMAN  AND  THE 
QUEEN  are  in  the  twenty-fourth  section  of 
Warton's  "  History  of  English  Poetry." 

Several  of  the  other  specimens  of  verse  were  pub 
lished  in  the  "  Boston  Courier,"  while  under  charge  of 
Mr.  Lunt. 

GENIUS  was  sent  to  the  Byron  Banquet  at  New 
York  in  1870. 

"  West  Roxbury  "  is  added  on  the  title-page,  there 
being  a  gentleman  of  the  same  name  at  Buffalo,  N.Y., 
who  has  published  some  excellent  verse. 

The  Poems  are  printed  in  this  more  enduring  form, 
for  the  friends  to  whom  this  book  is  respectfully  dedi 
cated. 


WEST  ROXBURY,  Mass., 
March,  1875. 


M191829 


CONTENTS. 


THE  WOMAN  AND  THE  QUEEN n 

GENIUS 33 

FANCY 39 

POMPEII 42 

JUPITER  AND  HEBE 46 

TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE  LATIN 54 

Deification  of  Julius  Caesar,  —  Ovid 54 

Regianus  :  Descriptio  Loci  Amceni 62 

Vomanus :  Gardens 63 

Epitaph  on  a  Dog 64 

Menander  and  Terence 64 

TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE  GREEK  ANTHOLOGY.     .     .  68 

Arion 68 

Antipater 69 

Diotimus :  Antaeus  and  Hercules      .     .     .     .     .     .  70 

Rufinus     .     . 70 

Simmias  :  Epitaph  on  Sophocles 73 

Theocritus  :  Epitaph  on  Hipponax 73 

Anacreon 73 

Nossis,  the  Locrian  Sappho :  On  a  Portrait    ...  74 

Plato 74 


viu  CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Authors  uncertain 75 

Paulus  Silentarius 76 

Silentarius  to  his  Friend  Agathias 77 

Antiphilus  of  Byzantium 77 

Crinagoras  to  the  Statue  of  Nero 78 

Isidorus 78 

Philodemus  to  Statue  of  Pan 79 

Dionysius 79 

Meleager 79 

Antipater  of  Sidon  :    Inscription  on  the  Tomb  of 

Lais 81 

Epitaph  on  Homer 81 

Phillippus  of  Thessalonica 82 

Lucian 82 

Clytemnestra  to  Orestes 83 

Lucian  or  Archias 84 

Marianus 84 

To  a  Statue  of  Cupid  crowned 85 

To  the  Grove  called  the  Love  Grove  of  Amasia  .  85 

Another  by  the  same  Author  to  the  same  Grove  .  86 

Harmodius  and  Aristogiton 87 

Callistratus 89 

Alcaeus oo 

Alcaeus'  Advice  to  an  Agriculturist 91 


THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

TN  an  age  when  princes  wasted 

Half  their  lives  in  contests  vain, 
Earl  Barnard  and  the  German  King 
Fought  for  possession  of  a  plain. 

The  cost  of  War  it  was  not  worth. 

Oh  !  when  will  man  delight  in  Peace  ! 
Whiche'er  prevailed,  the  gain  was  small, 

And  slight  his  honor  would  increase. 

But  these  with  them  of  small  account, 
And  they  to  battle  made  appeal : 

The  Earls  and  Kings  of  those  old  days 
Thought  little  of  the  common  weal. 

The  peasant  struggled  with  his  fate, 
The  nobles  warred  against  the  throne. 

The  age  was  dark  and  barbarous,  — 
As  dark  and  barb'rous  as  our  own. 


10  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

The  Earl  prevailed  in  border  war, 
And  many  pris'ners  bore  away. 

He  held  them  in  his  castle  keep, 

And  kept  them  there  for  many  a  day. 

A  captive  Count  he  treated  well, 

And  oft  Earl  Barnard  would  unbend  ; 

And,  while  the  time  was  drifting  on, 
Earl  Barnard  hailed  him  as  a  friend. 

And  oft  they  spoke  in  bant'ring  mood, 
When  wine  right  caution  had  disarmed. 

Earl  Barnard  (he  was  Glory's  slave) 
Had  never  been  by  Woman  charmed. 

The  wily  Count  describes  the  charms 
That  to  the  German  Queen  belong,  — 

Those  peerless  charms,  that  matchless  grace 
.Full  oft  rehearsed  in  minstrels'  song. 

"  Ah,  never  in  these  wilds  of  yours, 
Earl  Barnard,  saw  you  face  so  fair : 

Well  might  you  give  ten  years  of  life 
To  see  the  beauty  dwelling  there  ! " 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE  QUEEN.  II 

This  wily  Count  then  boldly  planned 
That  soon  a  journey  should  be  made, 

By  which  the  Earl  might  see  the  Queen 
In  all  her  matchless  charms  arrayed. 

And  Earl  Barnard,  much  entreated, 
Went,  disguised,  the  Queen  to  view ; 

Gave  the  captive  Count  his  freedom.  — 
Often  men  wrong  paths  pursue. 

And  the  Count,  of  faith  regardless, 
Sought  to  bring  the  Earl  to  woe  ; 

To  the  Queen  gave  information 
How  he  had  ensnared  their  foe. 

But  the  Queen,  with  gen'rous  feeling, 

Such  as  noble  thought  inspires, 
First  indignantly  reproves  him, 

Then  his  silence  she  requires. 

Says  :  "  In  your  faith  the  Earl  reposes, 

You  have  taught  him  to  confide. 
Nought  is  gained  by  treach'rous  counsel : 

Truth  and  Honor  are  allied  ! 


12  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

In  this  world,  if  you  would  prosper, 
Remember,  since  the  birth  of  time, 

No  good  has  come  from  faithless  action 
Seek  not  success  by  heartless  crime. 

As  a  Hermit  you  have  brought  him  : 
Let  him  go  to  Holy  Mass, 

And  I  there,  by  chance,  may  see  him 
When  the  monks  and  friars  pass. 

For  I  like  to  see  the  valiant,  — 

And  Earl  Barnard's  fame  is  great,  — 

Better  were  he  our  supporter, 
For  divisions  cramp  a  State. 

On  the  morrow  to  his  Highlands 
Then  dismiss  him,  safe  from  harms ; 

Not  for  worlds  would  I  destroy  him, 
Hither  lured  by  fabled  charms." 

And  the  Hermit,  at  the  chapel 
Where  the  holy  hymns  they  sing, 

Humbly  asking  for  her  bounty, 
From  the  Queen  received  a  ring. 


THE  WOMAN  AND  THE  QUEEN.      13 

At  this  time  the  King  was  absent, 
And  the  Queen  had  power  alone  ; 

For  the  King,  though  brave,  was  anxious 
For  the  safety  of  his  throne. 

He  had  said  to  his  bold  Barons : 

"  To  distant  region  I  repair, 
And  my  Queen,  both  loved  and  trusted, 

Barons  !  she  must  be  your  care  ! " 

But  the  Barons,  in  his  absence, 

Basely  to  the  Queen  proposed. 
Though  her  woman's  spirit  suffered, 

She  their  baseness  ne'er  disclosed. 

For  those  touch  the  pride  of  woman, 

Who  come  near  to  be  denied  ;  * 
And  she  will  resort  to  silence 

To  conceal  her  wounded  pride. 

The  Barons'  malice  deep  excited, 

To  deeper  villany  they  go  ; 
And  they  hasten  to  confine  her, 

Lest  delay  should  work  them  woe. 

*  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montagu. 


14  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Long  the  King  was  absent,  distant. 

Daily,  anxious  thoughts  oppressed  ; 
And  mysterious  voices  sounded, 

When  at  night  he  sought  for  rest. 

And  at  length  thrice  came  a  vision, 
Thrice  arousing  from  repose  ; 

And  his  Queen  was  thrice  presented 
As  encompassed  round  with  foes. 

Thrice  the  Queen  in  seeming  anguish 
At  his  couch  in  terror  stands, 

Still  in  pride  of  youth  and  beauty, 
Stretching  forth  imploring  hands. 

By  the  wondrous  vision  startled, 

He  no  longer  made  delay, 
But,  with  heart  and  brain  excited, 

Hastened  homeward  on  his  way. 

And  his  thoughts  were  restless,  thrilling, 
When  in  sight  the  palace  dome. 

Who,  long  absent,  is  not  anxious, 
Drawing  near  the  much-loved  home  ? 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN.  15 

And  the  Queen,  so  loved  and  trusted, 

Dearer  than  the  flowers  of  May, 
She,  in  durance  vile,  was  guarded,  — 

Shut  from  her  the  joy  of  day. 

Round  the  King  the  traitors  gathered, 
And  with  falsehood  filled  his  soul ; 

That  they  poisoned  at  the  fountain, 
Over  that  obtained  control. 

"  Sire,  the  Queen  has  been  unfaithful," 

Thus  they  artfully  proclaim, 
"  Smiled  upon  a  youthful  minstrel, 

And  your  household  brought  to  shame ! 

Sire,  to  us  was  much  intrusted : 

(God  our  fury  will  forgive  !) 
We  revenged  your  sullied  honor,  — 

Know  the  minion  ceased  to  live ! 

And,  great  King  !  you  well  remember 
How  your  counsels  she  withstood, 

When  the  traitor  Earl  defied  you, 
Backed  by  all  his  mountain  brood. 


16  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Know  then,  Sire,  her  guilt  and  treason,  - 
Must  we  break  it  to  the  King  ?  — 

She  has  seen  your  foe,  Earl  Barnard, 
On  him  has  bestowed  a  ring ! 

In  this  Court  he  rashly  ventured,  — 
And  no  power  but  hers  could  save,  — 

And  the  Queen,  his  presence  knowing, 
False  to  you,  she  freedom  gave. 

And  what  further  passed  between  them 

Is  not  fitting  here  to  tell : 
It  would  raise  most  fearful  passion, 

Dangerous  and  hard  to  quell." 

When  the  King  heard  their  relation, 
Heard  she  let  his  foe  depart, 

First  o'ercome  with  deep  emotion, 
Then  fierce  rage  infects  his  heart. 

Deep  the  rage  of  gen'rous  natures, 
Stung  by  unexpected  blow, 

Stung  by  hands  of  those  they  cherished 
See  proud  Ilium  wrapt  in  woe  ! 


THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Thus  deceived  by  worthless  traitors, 
Then  his  gen'rous  spirit  broke, 

And  in  frenzy,  mad,  tempestuous, 
Thus  the  King  in  passion  spoke  : 

"  O  Woman,  Woman  !  ever  straying, 
Wayward  as  the  swallow's  flight, 

Changeful  as  the  hues  of  morning, 

When  blushing  clouds  shed  varied  light 

Why  should  fate  bring  such  disaster 

To  a  soul  so  frank  as  mine  ? 
Why  should  faith  so  free,  implicit, 

Find  a  heart  so  false  as  thine  ? 

By  the  blood  of  all  the  Caesars, 
By  my  father's  glorious  name, 

By  the  hopes  that  point  hereafter, 
By  my  mother's  spotless  fame, 

By  the  wonders  of  the  ocean, 

By  the  glories  of  the  sky, 
By  the  Christian  Gods,  and  Pagan, 

This  false  woman  soon  shall  die !  " 


1 8  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Thus  far :  then  excess  of  passion 

Choked  his  utterance.  In  fierce  mood, 

With  jealous  anger  the  attendant, 
He,  distraught,  a  statue  stood. 

When  recovered  from  his  stupor, 
To  great  wrong  was  he  betrayed  ; 

For  a  demon  then  possessed  him, 
And  his  altered  nature  swayed. 

Said,  "  Let  the  morrow  see  this  woman 
In  our  open  court  be  tried  : 

Spite  of  all  her  subtle  counsels, 
By  the  proofs  we  will  abide ! " 

The  good  Queen,  thus  basely  slandered, 
On  her  innocence  reposed,  — 

Confident  and  strong  in  virtue, 

Though  by  bars  and  bolts  enclosed. 

And  the  Queen,  with  few  attendants, 
On  the  morrow  did  appear ; 

By  no  veil  her  face  was  shaded, 
And  no  look  betokened  fear. 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 


There  she  stood  in  radiant  beauty, 
Not  unconscious  of  her  charms  ; 

Truth  in  every  feature  beaming,  — 
Truth  and  beauty,  victor's  arms  ! 


On  her  cheek  the  blood  was  mantling, 
As  she  calmly  viewed  the  scene ; 

And  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  her,  — 
Turned  upon  the  beauteous  Queen. 

Then  the  eyes  of  falsehood  glittered, 
Like  subtle  serpents  charming  prey : 

When  her  eye  of  truth  was  lifted, 
Falsehood  felt  its  lightning  ray ! 

When  she  heard  the  wrongful  charges, 
For  ever  meant  her  fame  to  blast, 

Woman's  dignity  sustained  her, 
In  heart  courage  unsurpassed. 

"  O  King  !  "  she  said,  with  voice  melodious, 

In  tones  all  musical  and  free, 
"  Never  in  my  faith  I  faltered, 

Ne'er  was  recreant  to  thee ! 


20  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

This  heart  alone  to  thee  devoted, 

Lit  with  feeling,  —  Love's  pure  ray,  — 

Shall  appear  as  lucid  crystal, 

When  these  clouds  shall  break  away. 

I  know  well  your  gen'rous  nature, 
Though  you  wear  remorseless  brow  ; 

But  your  fame  to  me  is  dearer 
Than  the  life  in  peril  now. 

Well  I  know  your  noble  nature,  — 

Heaven's  own  gift  when  you  were  born, 

Well  I  know  that  noble  nature 
All  injustice  holds  in  scorn. 

I  have  seen  the  famed  Earl  Barnard, 
Counted  valiant,  brave,  and  true, 

At  the  risk  of  base  espial, 
And  of  misconstruction,  too. 

As  a  Hermit,  he  was  present 
In  the  chapel  where  they  sing, 

And  I  gave  the  Hermit  bounty, 
From  my  finger  gave  a  ring. 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN.  21 

From  that  moment  I  ne'er  saw  him  ; 

But  the  noble  knows  its  own, 
And  I  wished  no  harm  should  reach  him, 

For  the  honor  of  thy  throne ! 

What  I  gave,  I  gave  in  honor, 

All  in  honor,  —  not  in  shame  ; 
What  I  gave,  I  gave  in  honor, 

As  a  royal  Queen  became ! 

I  well  knew  the  Knight  was  noble, 

And  foul  treachery  I  restrained, 
Which  could  only  have  conception 

In  a  demon  disenchained. 

Do  you  ask  me  why  thus  tempted 

To  observe  the  hermit  Knight  ? 
Ask  why  rivers  run  to  ocean, 

Or  why  drifted  snow  is  white ! 

Ask  why  winter's  winds  are  piercing, 

Why  summer's  flowers  have  rich  perfume, 

Why  has  autumn  golden  fruitage, 
Why  in  springtime  lilies  bloom  ! 


22  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Ask  why  stars,  in  heaven's  concave, 
Beautiful  and  brightly  glow  ; 

Ask  why  ocean  rolls  its  waters 
In  such  wond'rous  ebb  and  flow  ! 

Ask  why  sunward  eagles  soar,  — 
But  never  think  it  worth  the  while 

To  inquire,  or  make  a  question, 
Why  valor  has  a  woman's  smile  ! 

To  see  Earl  Barnard,  passion  prompted, 
Woman's  passion  at  her  birth, 

Which  misled  our  common  mother, 
Who  risked  Paradise  for  Earth ! 

Do  you  ask  why  thus  I  yielded  ? 

You  know  woman's  nature  well : 
That  first  passion  Heaven  gave  her, 

Ever  with  her  seems  to  dwell ! 

Further  answer  I  concede  not, 
I  shall  not  myself  demean  ; 

On  my  former  fame  relying 
As  a  Woman,  as  a  Queen  ! 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN.  23 

Think  not  that  I  ask  for  favor ! 

Traitors,  falsehood  I  defy  ! 
And  my  fame  shall  not  be  clouded, 

Like  a  star  in  darkened  sky  ! 

Think  not  that  I  ask  for  favor ! 

Traitors,  falsehood  I  defy ! 
And  my  fame  shall  be  unclouded, 

As  a  star  in  azure  sky. 

Bring  me  now  to  any  trial, 

That  my  faith  may  proven  be  ; 
For  my  life  will  have  no  charm, 

If  a  wife  unworthy  thee. 

Ever  are  the  base  conspiring 

Virtue,  truth,  to  undermine. 
With  the  faithful  should  be  union, 

When  the  treacherous  combine ! 

Throw  that  magic  mantle  round  me, 

Which  detects  unchaste  desire ! 
Try  me  now  by  any  ordeal 

That  the  laws  of  man  require  ! 


24  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Throw  that  wond'rous  mantle  o'er  me, 

And  its  folds  around  me  furl : 
You  shall  see  no  quivering  motion, 

You  shall  spy  no  wavy  curl ! 

God  is  just,  although  mysterious  : 

On  His  wisdom  I  will  lean  ; 
Though  in  man  may  be  no  mercy, 

The  God  of  Heaven  protects  your  Queen  ! " 

Still  the  King,  in  frenzied  passion, 

Not  from  evil  counsel  free, 
Still  believing  the  false  Barons, 

Issued  this  unjust  decree  : 

Unless  champion  'gainst  the  Barons 

Will  her  innocence  proclaim, 
And  in  mortal  combat  foil  them, 

She  is  doomed  to  cruel  flame ! 

Seven  days  to  raise  a  champion  :  — 

Nearly  ended  was  the  time. 
Craven  Barons  never  hastened 

To  proclaim  her  free  from  crime. 


THE  WOMAN  AND   THE  QUE&N.  2$ 

To  the  mountains  went  the  story, 

Thither  borne  by  fame  or  fairy  ; 
There  it  roused  a  noble  spirit, 

Brought  the  eagle  from  his  eyry. 

All  the  courtly  priests  deserted 

Her  who  made  them  what  they  were. 

Curse  the  priest !  he  worse  than  faithless, 
Who  will  not  for  virtue  dare. 

All  the  courtly  priests  deserted 

Her  who  made  them  what  they  were. 

But  a  holy  famed  Confessor 
To  her  prison  made  repair. 

In  her  prison,  fearful,  anxious, 

Anxious  thoughts  her  mind  employ. 

But,  when  summoned  to  confession, 
She  addressed  the  Saint  with  joy. 

"  I  am  grateful,  holy  Father, 

That  your  thought  to  me  was  given. 

Faithful,  I  will  make  confession, 
Freely  as  I  hope  for  heaven. 


26  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

To  your  ear,  my  kind  Confessor, 
All  the  truth  I  will  relate : 

Strange,  not  wrong  but  virtuous  action 
Brings  me  to  this  mournful  state. 

'Tis  a  dark  and  cruel  story 

Of  a  pure  wife's  slandered  name  ; 

And  I  fear,  truth  not  appearing, 
I  shall  pass  with  darkened  fame. 

Both  the  Barons  that  accuse  me 
Basely  sought  my  love  to  gain : 

Faithless  to  their  Lord  and  King, 
Need  I  say  they  sought  in  vain  ? 

And  they  wickedly  pursued  me, 
Wickedly  pursued  in  vain  : 

All  their  arts  they  found  resisted, 
Only  met  with  high  disdain. 

To  no  other  ear,  Confessor, 
Would  I  this  dark  story  tell : 

In  your  safe  and  holy  keeping, 
There  it  must  for  ever  dwell. 


THE  WOMAN  AND  THE  QUEEN.      27 

The  base  traitors  thought  it  safer 

To  accuse  me  to  the  King : 
All  are  slanders,  —  their  invention, 

Save  the  story  of  the  ring. 

Thinking  that  I  best  consulted 

My  dear  husband's  highest  iame, — 

True,  I  counselled  against  contest, 
When  Earl  Barnard  made  his  claim. 

It  is  true  I  saw  Earl  Barnard, 

All  in  singleness  of  heart  ; 
It  is  true  I  gave  the  counsel 

That,  unharmed,  he  should  depart. 

Though  my  heart  in  twain  is  riven, 

Knowing  not  what  may  betide, 
That  the  King  will  lose  in  honor 

Pains  me  more  than  all  beside. 

Him  the  traitors  have  deluded, 

And  with  poison  filled  his  mind ; 
He  is  altered  in  his  nature, 

Which  before  was  ever  kind. 


28  THE  WOMAN  AND   THE  QUEEN. 

Holy  Father,  I  am  fearful, 
Will  no  ray  my  soul  illume  ? 

Will  no  brave  defender  save  me 
In  life's  vigor,  in  its  bloom  ? " 

Then  the  priest  said,  "  Be  of  courage ! 

God  Himself  will  succor  bring  : 
He  will  raise  for  thee  the  valiant, 

Will  restore  thee  to  the  King. 

Know  the  weak,  in  truth,  are  mighty : 
Keep,  my  child,  a  steadfast  mind ! 

Though  dark  clouds  are  now  obscuring, 
Rays  of  sunshine  are  behind  !  " 

Leaving  her  with  words  of  comfort, 
The  holy  Father  takes  his  way 

To  the  King  in  Court  assembled : 
Craves  he  speech  without  delay. 

To  the  King  he  then  addressed  him  : 
"  Know  thy  Queen  from  fault  is  free  ! 

Live  thou  on  in  faith  exalted 
That  thy  wife  is  worthy  thee ! " 


THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN.  2Q 

But  the  traitors  then  accused  him 

As  suborned  the  Queen  to  aid  ; 
But  he  boldly  met  their  falsehood, 

And  his  presence  then  displayed. 

Though  his  face  a  visor  shrouded, 
Through  it  eyes  of  eagle  gleamed  ; 

In  a  moment  all  were  conscious 
That  he  was  not  what  he  seemed. 

From  his  shoulders  dropped  the  vestment,  — 
For  the  cowl  makes  not  the  monk ; 

When  he  stood  a  man  before  them, 
Craven  spirits  quickly  shrunk. 

For  the  caitiff  and  the  coward, 
Traitors  base,  all  faithless  knaves, 

Shrink  before  the  face  of  manhood  : 
Falsehood's  patrons  are  its  slaves  ! 

Then  he  raised  his  hand  to  heaven, 

And  the  caitiffs  showed  alarm, 
When  they  saw  the  power  that  rested, 

That  rested  in  that  stalwart  arm. 


30  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

Then  he  spoke  in  voice  full  earnest. 
And  his  stature  seemed  to  loom, 

Daring  both  to  mortal  combat, 
In  the  field  to  meet  their  doom. 

They,  by  guilty  fears  half-conquered, 
Conscious  that  their  guilt  was  known, 

Quickly  in  the  field  of  combat 
By  the  Knight  were  overthrown. 

Of  the  battle  I  will  tell  not,— 

Such  have  been  described  of  yore  : 

Hurled  to  earth,  the  faithless  Barons 
Both  soon  weltered  in  their  gore. 

Shouts  on  shouts  from  all  the  people, 
When  they  witnessed  the  defeat ; 

And  then  friends  appeared,  as  legion, 
Eager  the  loved  Queen  to  greet. 

In  the  morning,  she  was  anxious  : 
In  the  evening,  comfort  found, 

Then  her  praise  spoke  all  the  people : 
Often  with  them  such  rebound. 


THE  WOMAN  AND   THE  QUEEN. 

Then  around  the  Knight  was  gathered 

A  rejoicing,  happy  crowd  : 
Wild  with  passion,  him  they  greeted, 

Cheered  him  with  their  plaudits  loud. 

Then  the  Knight,  the  King  approaching, 
From  his  face  the  visor  drew, 

And  the  people  gazed,  astounded, 
When  Earl  Barnard  came  to  view ! 

But  the  King,  alone  surprised  not, 
Hailed  him  with  a  cordial  voice, 

And  the  herald's  proclamation 
Bade  all  heartily  rejoice. 

Said  the  King,  his  right  hand  waving, 
"  King  and  Earl  no  more  are  foes. 

King  and  Earl  in  firm  alliance, 
In  the  brave  the  wise  repose  ! 

Now  I  know  the  Queen  is  truthful, 
To  the  winds  all  passion  fling. 

Now  I  know  Earl  Barnard  faithful, 
And  Earl  Barnard  knows  the  King. 


32  THE   WOMAN  AND   THE   QUEEN. 

As  I  know  Earl  Barnard  faithful, 
I  now  place  him  at  the  helm  : 

I  proclaim  him  Lord  High  Steward, — 
This  is  safety  to  the  realm ! 

I,  unknown,  unseen,  was  present, 
When  the  Queen  confession  made. 

And  her  truthfulness  and  kindness 
All  my  jealous  rage  allayed. 

To  the  Queen  I  bow  full  humbly, 

Freely  my  injustice  own. 
To  my  bosom  now  most  welcome, 

Dear,  loved  partner  of  my  throne !" 

Then  the  Queen  with  joy  was  lifted 
From  the  shades  of  deepest  night, 

Looking  upward,  joyous  springing 
To  a  day  of  golden  light. 

Such  is  Woman,  my  dear  reader, 
Ray  of  light,  approved  above ! 

All  forgiving,  — all  forgiving, — 
All  they  pardon,  where  they  love  ! 


GENIUS.  331 


GENIUS. 

A  ND  what  is  Genius  ?  answer  all  who  feel : 

To  Burns,  to  Dante,  Byron,  all  appeal. 
And  where  is  genius  of  the  highest  grade  ? 
In  Shakespeare's  urn,  with  lofty  Milton's  shade ; 
Mild  it  reposes  in  sage  Franklin's  tomb  ; 
Its  sleep  was  restless  in  Helena's  gloom  ; 
It  dwelt  with  Homer  on  the  Grecian  shore, 
There  long  resided,  but  resides  no  more. 
There,  other  names  the  classic  mem'ry  calls, 
Embraced  in  Sparta,  Thebes,  and  Athens'  walls  ; 
There  swarming  bees  on  Pindar's  lips  repose, 
There  Love  immortal  with  Anacreon  glows  ; 
One  in  heroic  strains  of  heroes  sung, 
And  on  their  laurels  vernal  lustre  flung  ; 
One  crowned  with  roses  touched  a  harp  divine, 
Tuning  its  strings  in  praise  of  Love  and  Wine ; 
And,  though  the  tide  of  time  has  flowed  so  long, 
Each  stands  unrivalled  in  his  realm  of  song. 

3 


34  GENIUS. 


Forsaking  Greece,  Genius,  with  hopeful  eye, 

Turned  to  the  West  and  sought  Hesperia's  sky. 

In  Latian  land  it  found  a  welcome  home, 

Virgil  and  Horace  honored  ancient  Rome  ; 

In  Latian  lands  it  made  a  long  delay, 

And  lengthened  ages  lightened  with  its  ray. 

Genius  itself  stood  wondering  in  amaze, 

When  it  confronted  Ariosto's  gaze, 

Saw  in  his  eyes  poetic  frenzy  roll, 

His  lightning  smile,  —  the  lightning  of  the  soul, 

When  with  creative  power  he  poured  along 

The  magic  music  of  his  varied  song  ; 

And  mind  burst  forth  in  streams  and  rushing  rills, 

As  mountain  torrents  speed  from  crested  hills, 

When  Spring  in  triumph  loosens  Winter's  chain, 

And  sends  the  waters  leaping  to  the  plain. 

In  sculptor's  art  oft  Genius  rose  supreme, 
Illumed  the  canvas,  lit  the,  poet's  dream  ! 
Its  impulse  lent  to  heighten  all  that  skill 
And  earnest  labor  wrought  with  earnest  will. 
Though  sometimes  darkness  seemed  the  sky  to  shroud, 
Its  fitful  flashes  pierced  the  densest  cloud. 
Leaving  the  land  that  charms  youth's  waking  dreams, 
Bright  land  of  sunny  skies  and  classic  streams, 


GENIUS.  35 


Erratic  Genius,  in  its  march  sublime, 

Sought  Alfred's  bosom  in  another  clime. 

Then  waked  to  warmth  in  Spenser's  fairy  lay  ; 

Missed  Dryden's  youth,  but  fired  his  later  day  ; 

Then  "  glorious  John  "  to  Shadwell  gave  his  due  ; 

With  well-poised  wit  the  subtile  Shaftsbury  drew, 

And  St.  Cecilia's  strain  and  flowing  line 

Burst  forth  in  floods  of  "  energy  divine." 

It  breathed  with  Pope  in  grotto  and  in  grove, 

Whene'er  he  chose  in  fancy's  realms  to  rove, 

Whene'er  he  sang  of  glory  or  of  love. 

There  glows  a  spirit  Earth  cannot  control, 

When  Genius  is  the  master  of  the  soul : 

How  fierce  it  gleamed  within  that  eye  of  fire, 

When  Rousseau  leagued  with  fancy  to  conspire. 

We  see  its  vigor  in  the  potent  page, 

When  Godwin  pictures  dark,  relentless  rage  ; 

In  Voltaire's  calm  and  cold  sarcastic  power, 

In  Cromwell's  art,  in  Tasso's  furious  hour. 

The  voice  of  Genius,  in  its  varied  tones, 

Has  startled  monarchs  and  has  shaken  thrones. 

Hard  to  select  from  England's  noble  throng 
The  names  that  most  are  consecrate  to  song. 
To  group  the  host  that  Genius  calls  its  own, 
The  time  allows  not  now  ;  but,  on  its  throne, 


36  GENIUS. 


A  noble  chief  from  Scotia's  land  we  hail, 
Whom  all  must  honor,  and  none  dare  assail. 
We  call  to  mind  dear  Scott,  impressing  youth 
With  Jeanie's  virtue  and  Rebecca's  truth, 
He  who  in  verse  and  in  his  fiction  drew 
The  forms  of  virtue  with  a  pencil  true, 
And  with  that  pencil  scrupled  not  to  trace 
The  crimes  and  follies  of  the  kingly  race  ; 
Whose  stream  as  pure  as  purest  fountain  flowed, 
Whilst  in  his  pages  genial  fervor  glowed  ; 
Who  firm  remained,  although  he  saw  depart 
The  cherished  visions  of  his  princely  heart ; 
He  who  the  old  delighted,  charmed  the  young, 
Must  not  be  left  "  unhonored  and  unsung." 
But  what  is  Genius  without  passion's  force 
To  call  it  forth  and  prompt  it  to  discourse  ? 
Genius  when  warm,  inspired  by  loving  eyes, 
Is  waked  to  life,  aspires  to  glory's  prize. 
The  love  of  glory,  and  the  fear  of  shame, 
Have  started  Genius  in  a  sluggish  frame  : 
The  lively  wish  to  reach  beyond  the  hour, 
To  seize  and  hold  the  height  of  mortal  power, 
Has  brought  reposing  strength  to  action  high,     . 
And  man  has  soared  till  dull  was  fancy's  eye. 


GENIUS.  37 


Passions  give  strength,  though  sometimes  they  mis 
lead  ; 

But  without  passion  none  can  e'er  succeed. 
The  eye  of  dulness  never  can  see  clear, 
Starting  at  shadows,  ere  the  forms  appear ; 
The  soul  of  dulness  never  can  decide 
What  should  be  sought  or  what  be  left  untried. 
By  passion's  eagle  eye  is  Genius  fired, 
Genius  itself  by  passion  is  inspired  ; 
And  it  must  feel  before  it  can  portray 
The  varied  passions  that  the  bosom  sway. 
The  love  of  glory  must  the  breast  inspire, 
The  love  of  fame  excite  with  sharp  desire, 
Ere  the  full  promptings  of  the  soul  begin 
To  seek  their  vent,  or  restless  work  within. 
The  bard  who  dwells  'mid  storms  and  rugged  climes 
Will  paint  black  tempests  in  his  rugged  rhymes  ; 
But  he  whose  eyes  on  smiling  valleys  rest 
Will  dream  that  calm  reposes  in  each  breast. 
But  Genius'  efforts,  words  that  never  die, 
Present  no  beauty  to  the  vulgar  eye  ; 
Genius,  though  great,  tannot  to  churls  impart 
The  spirit,  grandeur,  of  a  high-toned  heart. 
The  eagle  quells  the  falcon,  —  upward  borne, 
The  monarch  bird  the  kestrel  holds  in  scorn. 


38  GENIUS. 


Envy  and  Cant  most  wisely  would  surmise 

That  in  street  fights  great  Homer  lost  his  eyes  ; 

Suggest,  from  Juan  we  should  never  quote  ; 

That  Junius,  Junius'  letters  never  wrote ; 

That  Milton's  daughters  ever  lived  in  fear ; 

And  Shakespeare  spent  his  youth  in  stealing  deer, 

Let  Envy  carp  and  vulgar  Malice  rant, 

The  eye  of  wisdom  penetrates  their  cant. 

Genius  survives  the  cavils  of  the  day, 

And  lights  the  future  with  resplendent  ray : 

Milton  and  Shakespeare  still  adorn  the  throne, 

That  Genius  raises  to  its  sons  alone  ; 

Around  their  urns  the  brightest  rays  serene 

With  crystal  light  illuminate  the  scene. 

The  roll  of  ages  will  not  leave  a  gloom 

O'er  Homer's  ashes  or  on  Byron's  tomb  : 

Genius  itself  their  glory  shall  sustain, 

Their  names  inscribing  in  its  noblest  fane, 

On  a  high  column  placed,  to  last  as  long 

As  time  shall  last  or  man  delight  in  song. 


FANCY.  39 


FANCY. 

"  IN  early  days  the  lyric  muse  could  please  : 
I  courted  fancy  then,  in  strains  like  these  ; 
And  fancy's  self  the  language  did  inspire, 
As  thus  I  dashed  my  fingers  o'er  the  lyre." 


,  fancy,  let  me  waken, 
And  let  me  try  my  wing  : 
My  courage  is  unshaken, 

And  glows  as  fresh  as  spring. 
The  earth  hath  lofty  mountains, 

And  shady  valleys  deep, 
Where  streams  and  gentle  fountains 

In  quiet  murmurs  creep  ; 
And  forests  which  are  waving 

With  pines  of  branches  vast, 
And  oaks  whose  boughs  are  braving 

The  rudest  wintry  blast. 
And  as  o'er  earth  we  travel, 

Amid  its  boundless  range, 
Its  mysteries  to  unravel, 

Or  view  its  frequent  change, 


40  FANCY. 


What  quick  thoughts  will  be  flying, 

Swifter  than  eagle's  wing, 
E'en  fancy's  self  defying, 

As  thought  to  thought  will  spring  ! 
Through  earth  the  streams  are  flowing 

Which  lighten  labor's  toil, 
The  clouds,  their  rain  bestowing, 

Will  fertilize  the  soil ; 
But  those  rich  streams  unheeded 

Flow  when  the  clouds  deny,  — 
Aye,  when  they  most  are  needed, 

Earth's  life-blood  they  supply. 
The  stars,  in  distance  roaming, 

To  other  shores  are  bright, 
And  gladden  some  far  gloaming 

With  their  celestial  light. 
Beneath  the  depths  of  ocean 

Are  treasures  vast  and  deep  ; 
Unrocked  by  any  motion, 

In  calm  repose  they  sleep. 
And  jewels  have  been  glowing 

Beneath  earth's  surface  deep, 
And  fountains  have  been  flowing 

Through  channels  rough  and  steep. 


FANCY.  41 


Those  fountains  have  been  streaming 

For  ever  on  their  way, 
The  diamonds  have  been  gleaming, 

Though  hid  from  light  of  day. 
And  lofty  thoughts  are  rushing 

Through  each  immortal  mind, 
Beneath  its  surface  gushing 

Mysterious,  undefined ; 
Until  some  object  rouses, 

Which  seems  to  be  of  worth, 
Some  call  the  soul  espouses, 

Which  brings  its  action  forth. 
Yes,  when  the  tempest  rages, 

Those  powers,  before  concealed, 
Its  fury  then  engages, 

Then  courage  is  revealed. 
Harmonious  streams  are  gliding 

For  ever  through  the  soul, 
And  joyous  there  abiding, 

Through  its  recesses  roll. 
Melodious  strains  there  ranging, 

Which  never  will  depart, 
With  chimes  for  ever  changing,  — 

They  cheer  the  human  heart. 


42  POMPEII. 


POMPEII. 

A    WANDERER  'mid  Pompeii's  ruin  stands, 
Viewing  the  scene  with  not  incurious  eye. 
Strange  desolation  !  marks  of  pride  are  left, 
Emblems  that  tell  of  human  vanity, 
And  some  which  shadow  baser  passions  still. 
But  here  not  long  he  meditates  ;  his  thought 
Dwells  not  on  those  who  long  have  passed  away : 
Still,  as  he  treads  among  the  ancient  graves, 
He  makes  some  question  of  the  tenants  there. 

Was  it  good  fortune  or  an  evil  fate 
Sent  to  this  urn  the  graceful  form  of  youth, 
In  woman's  loveliness,  in  beauty's  strength, 
When  ruddy  beauty  heightened  beauty's  blush  ? 
Good  fortune  may  have  snatched  from  wretchedness, 
Or  happiness  been  wrecked  by  evil  fate ! 

Or  was  it  one  sporting  in  childish  years, 
Whose  destined  hours  in  tenderness  had  flown 
Amid  the  charms  affection  sheds  on  life, 
That  here  has  long  reposed  ?     Who  left  this  world 


POMPEII.  43 


With  faith  consummate  on  the  mind  impressed, 
Unchanging  truth  still  in  the  form  enthroned  ; 
But,  early  passing  on  from  earth  to  heaven, 
The  seal  of  death  imprinted  on  the  brow, 
Ere  time  and  passion  wrote  their  victories  ! 

Or  was  the  one  that  lies  inurned  here, 
Cut  off  by  fate  before  he  reached  the  goal 
Which  his  ambition  hailed  as  worthy  thought  ? 
And,  his  career  not  furnishing  that  fame 
To  which  the  ardent  vainly  oft  aspire, 
Does  he  in  death  still  wrestle  with  vain  dreams 
Of  what  he  was,  or  what  he  would  have  been  ? 
'Mid  fearful  nightmare  and  terrific  pain, 
Perchance  this  tomb  to  him  is  but  a  prison, 
No  rest  within  the  grave  ;  ambitious  still 
To  leave  bright  record  in  the  universe. 

Perhaps  a  miscreant  foul,  from  miscreant  sprung, 
Marked  at  the  start  by  the  Almighty  hand, 
Beyond  all  doubt,  all  question,  all  dispute, 
As  fit  for  every  vice  that  man  abhors, 
Here  long  has  ceased  to  rot,  whose  boundless  crimes 
Exceeded  all  the  crimes  of  his  vile  race, 
Though  all  his  race  surpassed  in  crime  before ; 
A  shameless  coward  and  consummate  knave, 


44  POMPEII. 


Ready  to  pilfer,  murder,  or  to  steal, ' 

By  Satan  lent  to  disarray  the  world, 

A  country  and  all  human  rights  betray. 

On  such  a  wretch  scorn  piled  on  scorn  were  vain : 

Earth's  justice  never  could  such  villain  reach, — 

Immortal  God  alone  could  judge  his  doom. 

Perchance,  some  patriot  reposes  here, 
Who  loved  his  country  and  maintained  its  cause, 
Watched  its  career  in  much  of  thoughtful  hope, 
Contended  manfully  against  its  fall, 
But  knew  its  danger,  and  that  danger  warned  ; 
Ardent  to  aid,  conscious  he  could  not  save, 
Saw  fell  corruption  sapping  all  its  strength  ; 
Seeing  its  downward  course,  foresaw  its  doom, 
Not  fearing  outward  foes,  but  those  within, 
In  bitterness  of  spirit  and  of  heart, 
Its  inward  would  have  hurled  to  hell's  own  door, 
And  hell  would  darker  grow  at  their  approach  ! 

Haply  this  may  have  been  a  suffering  wretch, 
To  whom  the  grave  was  but  a  welcome  friend, 
The  arms  of  death  a  refuge  long  desired. 

Or  yet  this  may  have  been  sweet  fancy's  child, 
That  lived  within  his  own  created  sphere, 
Fearfully  proud,  nicely  fastidious, 


POMPEII.  45 


Holding  within  his  breast  high  hopes,  high  thoughts, 
That,  never  brought  to  light,  not  noted  down, 
Have  perished  in  their  beauty.     Over  such 
The  Muses  hover,  and  they  know  their  child ; 
They  feed  him  with  the  fancies  that  beguile, 
They  smooth  his  path  through  life,  and,  when  he 

sleeps, 
In  thoughtful  music  chant  his  requiem. 

Whoe'er  the  tenants  were,  by  fortune  blest, 
It  gave  them  to  the  earth's  tranquillity, 
Ere  the  volcano  burst  in  sweeping  flame : 
The  dead  were  better  than  the  living  then ! 


46  JUPITER  AND  HEBE. 


JUPITER  AND    HEBE. 

"  T^AUGHTER'  l  am  growing  old  ! 

And  my  blood  flows  faint  and  cold 
From  my  arm  the  nerve  has  gone, 
From  my  limbs  the  strength  has  flown  ; 
Faltering  are  my  weary  feet, 
And  my  pulses  scarcely  beat. 
Life  immortal  was  my  boon  : 
Must  I  wane,  like  yon  pale  moon  ? 
Power  immortal  mine  alone  : 
Must  I  quit  this  starry  throne  ? 
Yield  this  canopy  of  earth, 
Star-gemmed  at  proud  Juno's  birth  ? 
'Mid  this  canopy  of  blue 
Then  the  living  lightnings  flew, 
Startling  with  their  piercing  ray 
What  is  now  the  Milky  Way. 
Oh,  the  grandeur  of  that  night ! 
At  the  intervening  light, 


JUPITER  AND  HEBE.  47 

Beaming  brightly,  high,  serene, 

The  lost  Pleiad  last  was  seen. 

Storm  and  lightning  wildly  raged  ; 

Both  how  quickly  were  assuaged  ! 

Juno's  eye  and  towering  form 

Calmed  the  lightning,  quelled  the  storm. 

Storm  and  tempest  soon  were  still, 

Both  resolved  at  Juno's  will. 

Iris  came  with  rainbow  dyes, 

Signing  peace  to  earth  and  skies  ; 

Always  welcome  to  the  wise. 

Peace  with  wisdom  ever  runs  : 

War,  a  demon,  wisdom  shuns. 

All  will  find,  as  years  increase, 

Peace  is  wisdom,  wisdom  peace. 

I  am  faint  and  sick  and  weak. 
Health  once  mantled  on  this  cheek. 
From  this  brow,  and  from  this  face, 
Fled  have  dignity  and  grace. 
If  thou  aid  not,  I've  no  choice 
But  to  court  Oblivion's  voice ! 

Daughter,  fly  !  thy  father  aid, 
Heal  the  ravage  time  has  made, 


48  JUPITER  AND  HEBE. 

Pluck  the  silver  from  my  brow ; 
Let  not  age  steal  o'er  me  now. 
The  golden  moments,  as  they  flow, 
All  that's  fair  and  good  bestow. 
Bid  Apollo  bring  his  light, 
To  relume  his  father's  sight 
Call  the  powers  that  sway  the  air, 
Hither  let  each  grace  repair. 
Let  Minerva  do  her  share : 
She  had  wisdom  at  her  birth, 
And  the  olive  gave  to  Earth ; 
Life  prolonger,  and  the  queen 
Of  a  field  of  thought  serene. 
Bring  a  laver  of  fresh  dew, 
Mountain  roses  round  me  strew, 
Honey  from  Hymettus  bring, 
Rich  with  violets  of  spring, 
Or  with  summer's  sweetest  flowers, 
Blooming  in  Hesperian  bowers. 
Call  Terpsichore's  maidens  fair, 
Mountain  nymphs,  with  flowing  hair, 
Hearts  untouched  by  earthly  care, 
Lips  that  breathe  with  fond  desire, 
Eyes  that  love  might  well  inspire, 


//  /•//  /  /,-    \,\i>  in  1  1 


When  Nicy  ll)n»\v  n  l.nip.lHii"  ;•.!.  Mice- 
Is  (>llll(l    I  lici  l    <  Mini  .n  Ic  .    in    |  lie  (l.ini  < 
I  .«•!    flu-    Mn  .r.   u  ilh    Inir    in    li.in.l, 
(    M.U  iinl    \\  ilh    l.iinrl.   Ic.l.l    Ilic   h.inil 

I  •  I  j  II  (  •     I  1  1  (  '     I  .  I  I  I  !  •  1  I  I  I  I  ;  '      I   I  i  >  I  I  |     .    .  I  1  1  •  1  1  ;  •    ' 
(    llCCt'   III  V    lie.  II  I    Will)    llov.m;     .'Hi'1 

U'lm  CM  .Inn  c   \\MiiIil  j|r  .11  <'. 

If  (Icninl    I  lir    inn  111!  ill    lyi  c    ' 

Hi  \\\£   ',\    Clip  <>l    I  '  >  -\    \vi  lie, 

L'H  It  ,r.   III.  it    yiiini;'.   l>lir:li  of  thinr, 

TiMH  ll    ll    wil  li    Hi\     li|>  :  divine. 

I  ,|p  •  »  1  1  '•<  I*  >.i  1  1  ••    i  i  \   .!  .1  1  1  1  lie 

I    Will    I  il  i     .  ;    1  1     I  lie  1  1    I  (»    I  ll  inc. 

SlUOoll)    Mil'-:    |)|n\v,    ldic|\r    Mn   .     itlll, 

I'lOVC   C.M  ll    Illlll)    Will)    pnlcnl    (  ll.lllll. 

All  I  hy  (•<  in  u  .  i  otind  me  llm 
TUMI  Mir-:  winlci   in  ltl>  '  .    .|.i  in 

'   .  .  I  I  1  1  •    I  I  I  (  •     I  1  1   I  I     1  1  1  1  )  I  1  1  1  1  1  ;•     1)111)-., 

Wlirii     \  MIIII;-    .     i    •  I       .    I  l  v    I  1  1''  1  1 

'  ri       me,    •  i    c  me  i,  iili.  ml  lil«- 
hr.ltri   lh.il,  willi  «  <  ;i<;clc  .  .    .h  il<-, 
Tli.  in   Ilic   I.  He   ,IIH|  die.  M  y   p  i  .1 
\\'\\  ll    ':))(•(   I  l.il     .li.l(ln\V:   OVCI  «  .1  .1 


50  JUPITER   AND  HEBE. 

Give  me  of  thy  glowing  breath, 
And  thy  arms  around  me  wreathe ; 
Let  thy  joyous,  beating  heart 
Life  and  youth  and  strength  impart." 

Hebe,  beautiful  and  true, 
Doth  her  father's  strength  renew, 
All  with  filial  love  refined, 
Joyful,  meets  the  task  assigned. 

"  Hebe,  ask  a  boon  from  me, 
I  will  grant  it  cheerfully. 
Fond  and  gentle,  pure,  thou  art, 
Graced  with  beauty,  high  of  heart ; 
And  thy  modest,  blooming  face, 
Full  of  sweetness  and  of  grace, 
Shows  of  passion  sign  nor  trace. 
Child,  thy  heart  is  fresh  and  green, 
Like  the  grass  in  sylvan  scene 
After  showers  have  passed  away, 
In  the  time  of  flowery  May. 
All  the  hopes  that  round  thee  cling 
Joyous  are,  as  breath  of  spring, 
When  the  birds  are  on  the  wing, 
When  in  rivalry  they  sing  ; 


JUPITER  AND  HEBE.  51 

All  the  fears  that  round  thee  crowd 
Lighter  than  yon  sun-gilt  cloud, 
Which  is  fading  fast  away 
'Neath  Apollo's  burning  ray. 
Richer  is  that  blush  of  thine 
Than  the  gleam  of  sparkling  wine. 
Now  !  I  see  the  cheerful  ray 
That  foretells  the  break  of  day. 

All  I  am  to  thee  I  owe ! 
What  on  thee  shall  I  bestow  ? 
Age  has  ceased,  and  with  it  pain : 
Daughter,  I  am  young  again. 

What  is  greater,  then,  in  truth 
Than  the  bloom  of  glorious  youth  ? 
Thou  art  bashful,  in  thine  eyes 
Is  the  glow  of  sweet  surprise, 
On  thy  heaving  breast  the  flush 
That  adorns  a  virgin  blush. 
What  of  wealth  or  what  of  fame 
Is  it  worth  thy  while  to  claim  ? 
Daughter,  I  will  choose  for  thee : 
Youth  and  health  thy  portion  be ! 


52  JUPITER  AND  HEBE. 

On  thee  youth  and  health  attend, 

And  thy  power  shall  have  no  end. 

Youth  immortal  I  bestow, 

Health  and  youth  in  hand  shall  go, 

Long  as  ceaseless  ages  flow. 

And  this  power  to  thee  is  given 

Over  all  the  gods  of  heaven. 

Neptune  from  his  watery  waste 

Will  to  thy  glad  presence  haste ; 

And  that  darker  god  below, 

Whose  grim  visage  pictures  woe, 

Would  be  glad  to  lose  his  throne, 

Could  he  make  thy  gift  his  own ! 

And  thy  bridal,  it  shall  be 

All  that  may  be  worthy  thee. 

Our  wayward  Juno  cease  to  frown, 

Thee  Juno's  self  with  flowers  shall  crown  ; 

And,  once  profuse,  her  hands  supply 

Wreaths  to  engarland  all  the  sky  ; 

Youth,  Beauty,  Courage,  be  allied 

When  Hebe  blooms  a  happy  bride. 

Give  my  sceptre  of  command, 
Let  me  wield  it  in  this  hand. 


JUPITER  AND  HEBE.  53 

What  a  front,  and  what  a  brow ! 
Juno  would  not  know  me  now. 
How  these  ringlets  graceful  flow  ! 
How  my  inmost  pulses  glow  ! 
Ages  now  have  rolled  in  vain : 
Jupiter  is  young  again  !  " 


54  DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS  CAESAR. 

DEIFICATION    OF   JULIUS   CAESAR. 

FROM  OVID. 

A  POLLO'S  son,*  though  alien,  God  we  called ! 

In  his  own  city  Caesar  was  installed ! 
And  though  for  skill  in  arts  and  arms  renowned, 
For  civil  wisdom,  wars  with  triumphs  crowned, 
And  rapid  conquests  of  exalted  fame, 
Augustus'  father  was  his  proudest  claim  ! 
And  aided  more  amid  celestial  race, 
In  the  bright  throng  of  stars  to  fix  his  place. 
And  of  all  Julius'  acts  we  witness  bear, 
The  greatest  when  he  made  Augustus  heir. 
Was  it  a  greater  boast  his  triumphs  famed, 
Or  those  great  acts  when  triumphs  were  unclaimed 
Was  it  a  greater  glory  to  defeat 
The  sea-encircled  Britain,  bear  his  fleet 
Triumphant  through  the  channels  of  the  stream 
Of  paper-bearing  Nile,  or  to  redeem 
And  add  to  Roman  state  Numidia's  coast, 
With  swelling  Pontus,  Mithridates'  boast, 

*  ^sculapius. 


DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   CAESAR.  55 

Than  to  adopt  a  great  man  to  preside  ? 
Abundantly  for  all  the  Gods  provide ! 
That  from  no  mortal  our  own  prince  should  rise, 
Great  Julius  was  translated  to  the  skies. 

All  beauteous  Venus  then,  with  features  pale, 
Saw  armed  assassins  Vesta's  priest  assail, 
Foresaw  his  mournful  death,  exclaimed  :  "  O  see 
The  weight  of  woe,  ye  Gods,  prepared  for  me ! 
See,  with  what  deep  design  the  life  is  sought 
Of  my  sole  Julian  hope  from  Troas  brought'! 
Shall  I  alone  be  singled  from  the  rest  ? 
Shall  I  alone  with  cruel  cares  be  pressed  ? 
Tydides'  spear  my  burning  thought  recalls, 
And  next  I  mourned  Troy's  ill  defended  walls  ; 
I've  seen  my  son  to  distant  regions  sped, 
On  Ocean  tossed,  among  the  silent  dead, 
Doomed  then  in  strife  with  Turnus  to  engage, 
Or,  truth  to  tell,  confronting  Juno's  rage. 
Why  call  to  mind  past  anguish  of  my  race, 
Since  present  ills  all  former  ills  efface  ? 
The  sacred  fires  of  Vesta  will  not  glow, 
If  the  dear  blood  of  Vesta's  priest  shall  flow ; 
You  see  ungodly  swords,  avert  this  crime, 
Forbid  the  blow,  ye  Gods  !  nor  let  it  darken  time  !  " 


56  DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   CAESAR. 

Venus  with  troubled  mind  makes  this  appeal, 
And  all  the  Gods  a  deep  compassion  feel  ; 
And,  though  unable  fate  to  overthrow, 
Present  no  doubtful  signs  of  future  woe. 
Trumpets  and  clarions  send  from  heaven  alarms, 
Amid  dark  clouds  are  heard  resounding  arms. 
The  sun's  sad  spectre  sheds  a  ghastly  light, 
To  warn  the  world  of  violated  right. 
Amid  the  stars,  bright  fires  were  seen  to  blaze, 
And  drops  of  blood,  in  storms,  oft  met  the  gaze  ; 
Dusky  the  morning  star  appeared  to  view, 
And  Luna's  car  had  stains  of  blood-red  hue.  ! 
Around  the  city  ghosts  in  silence  creep, 
In  thousand  places  ivory  statues  weep ; 
The  city  through,  dogs  made  nocturnal  howls, 
Came  mournful  omens  from  infernal  owls  ; 
In  sacred  groves  strains  of  enchantment  sound, 
And  threatening  words  reverberate  around  ; 
The  Gods  unsatisfied,  though  victims  bled, 
Whose  opened  entrails  showed  a  wounded  head  ; 
Great  tumults  by  the  fibres  were  made  known, 
By  startling  earthquakes  troubles  were  foreshown. 
Not  all  these  warnings  from  the  Gods  could  prove 
A  bar  to  treason,  nor  the  fates  could  move. 


DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   C^SAR.  57 

The  place  for  crime  the  Senate  House  affords, 
And  in  the  temple  traitors  draw  their  swords. 
Then  Venus  beat  her  breast  with  either  hand, 
And  in  a  cloud  to  hide  her  hero  planned. 
Paris  eluded  thus  Atrides'  hate, 
By  this  device  ^Eneas  baffled  fate. 

And  then  her  father,  speaking,  said  :  "  My  child, 
Hope  you  to  master  fate  ?  such  hope  is  wild. 
Yourself  may  enter  where  the  sisters  three 
Engrave  on  metal  fore-ordained  decree. 
Secure  from  thunder  and  all  other  shock, 
There,  on  perennial,  adamantine  rock, 
Stamped  by  the  fateful  sisters,  you  may  trace 
The  various  fortunes  of  your  favored  race. 
I  read,  remember,  and  will  now  relate, 
That  you  may  know  the  fixed  decrees  of  fate. 
Your  great  descendant,  having  filled  on  earth 
The  length  of  days  allotted  at  his  birth, 
Shall  now  ascend,  acknowledged  be  in  heaven, 
Shall  find  on  earth  in  temples  worship  given. 
And  his  own  son,  his  heir  shall  stand  alone, 
A  city's  burdens  on  his  shoulders  thrown  ; 
The  Gods  propitious,  well  to  him  belongs 
The  brave  avenging  of  his  father's  wrongs. 


58  DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   CAESAR. 

And  conquered  Mutina  shall  seek  for  peace, 
Phillippi's  contest  shall  his  fame  increase  ; 
Great  Pompey's  son,  thought  master  of  the  waves, 
Shall  fly  the  waters  that  Sicilia  laves  ; 
And  Egypt's  Queen,  the  Roman's  ill-starred  bride, 
In  vain  shall  question  what  the  fates  decide. 
Your  Rome  shall  stand,  Canopus  hold  in  awe, 
And  Rome  to  Egypt  give  unquestioned  law. 
Why  should  I  mention  the  Barbaric  ground, 
Or  distant  countries  waves  of  ocean  bound  ? 
All  earth  contains  shall  his  dread  voice  obey, 
And  the  deep  seas  shall  recognize  his  sway. 
At  peace  the  empire,  when  his  mind  is  free, 
Laws  he  shall  shape,  shall  order  just  decree ; 
Shall  turn  to  civil  rule  his  active  mind, 
And  by  his  standard  morals  be  refined  ; 
Regardful  of  the  future,  shall  engage 
His  loved  wife's  son  to  guide  succeeding  age ; 
Nor  shall  he  reach  among  the  stars  his  place, 
Nor  seats  celestial  shall  he  ever  grace, 
Until  with  Nestor's  years  his  life  is  crowned, 
Then  not  alone  shall  earth  his  glory  bound. 

My  child  !  now  seize  the  spirit  of  this  soul, 
And  bear  your  hero  far  from  earth's  control ; 


DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   CAESAR.  59 

Make  him  a  star ;  then  from  his  lofty  home 
The  forum  he  shall  view,  each  burnished  dome 
Which  now,  or  which  hereafter,  graces  Rome  ! " 

These  words  scarce   uttered,  Venus,   Love's   own 

Queen, 

Stood  in  the  Senate,  though  by  all  unseen, 
And  from  great  Caesar  snatched  the  parting  soul, 
To  place  among  the  Gods,  among  the  stars  enroll. 
And,  while  she  bore,  it  luminous  became, 
With  fires  it  glittered,  kindled  then  to  flame  ;  ' 
It  sprang  above  the  moon  to  seek  its  place, 
And  lustrous  light  adorned  ethereal  space. 

He  shines  a  star  benignant ;  and  the  deeds 
His  son  performs,  with  earnest  joy  concedes 
Superior  to  his  own,  while  gen'rous  fame, 
Although  the  son  opposed,  confirms  the  claim. 
Great  Agamemnon  paled  his  father's  fires, 
Achilles,  Theseus,  both  surpassed  their  sires. 
More  just  example  I  shall  now  propose, 
Jove's  star  ascendant  over  Saturn's  rose  ; 
Jove  rules  above  with  undisputed  sway, 
And  his  behests  three  mighty  realms  obey  ; 
The  earth  he  gave  Augustus,  to  his  race, 
Thus  heaven  and  earth  enjoy  an  equal  grace ; 


60  DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS 


Both  fathers,  that  with  wisdom  govern  all, 

One  rules  celestial  sphere,  one  this  terrestrial  ball. 

Grant,  O  ye  Gods,  that  with  yEneas  came, 
Through  whom  he  triumphed  over  sword  and  flame  ; 
Grant,  household  Gods,  and  Romulus  our  sire, 
With  the  chaste  Vesta  bearing  sacred  fire, 
Vesta  and  Phoebus  in  your  hallowed  home, 
Beneath  the  roof  that  crowns  our  Caesar's  dome, 
And  Mars,  who  gave  to  Rome  its  warlike  powers, 
Great  Jove,  controlling  the  Tarpeian  towers, 
All  other  Gods  to  whom  is  rev'rence  due,  — 
O  grant  this  earnest  prayer  preferred  to  you  : 
Grant,  all  ye  Gods,  who  hear  your  poet's  song, 
Far,  far  beyond  my  life  with  grace  prolong 
His  stay  on  earth,  who  tempers  all  so  well, 
Late  let  him  wish  in  starry  home  to  dwell  ; 
He  thence  shall  glance  from  realms  of  upper  air, 
Smiling  propitious  to  his  people's  prayer. 

PERORATION. 

The  work  I've  finished  —  elements  of  air, 
And  fire  and  sword,  and  wasting  time  will  spare  ; 
When  that  day  comes,  and  come  we  know  it  must, 
When  this  strong  frame  shall  be  resolved  in  dust, 


DEIFICATION  OF  JULIUS   CJESAR.  6 1 

Immortal  I  shall  rise  o'er  stars  divine, 

And,  leaving  earth,  an  honored  name  be  mine. 

Where'er  Rome's  legions  are  to  conquest  led, 

My  name  shall  flourish,  and  my  verse  be  read. 

Unless  a  poet's  presages  are  vain, 

My  fame  through  ages,  glowing,  shall  remain. 


62  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE  LATIN. 


TRANSLATIONS   FROM   THE   LATIN. 


REGIANUS. 
DESCRIPTIO  Loci  AMCENI. 

TTERE  summer  shade  the  noble  plane-tree  spreads, 
Here  the  tall  pines  expand  their  waving  heads  ; 
Here,  trembling  cypress,  bay  with  berries  crowned, 
Unite,  diffusing  welcome  shade  around. 
The  wand'ring  waters,  whirling  as  they  roam, 
Flow  swiftly  o'er  the  stones  in  streams  of  foam. 

Place  for  love's  whispers  !  here  the  tuneful  bird, 
Lover  of  woods,  the  nightingale  is  heard  ; 
Here  sportive  swallows  skim  the  flow'ry  plains, 
And  charm  with  cheerful  voice  the  maids  and  swains. 


VOMANUS.  63 


VOMANUS. 
GARDENS. 

^V7"E  Muses,  born  of  Jove,  assist  my  verse ! 

The  Garden's  beauties  let  me  now  rehearse : 
How  oft  the  garden  healthful  viands  yields, 
With  choicest  fruits  from  cultivated  fields, 
Sweet  colewort,  herbs,  and  many  kinds  of  roots, 
And  blooming  grapes,  and  trees  with  rarest  fruits. 
Useful  and  pleasant  being  well  combined, 
Thus  we  enjoy  a  pleasure  most  refined. 
When  a  clear  stream  of  murmuring  water  flows 
On  furrowed  cornfields,  moisture  it  bestows. 
And  flowers  bright  gleaming  'mid  the  varied  lawn 
With  twinkling  charms  the  verdant  plain  adorn. 
The  pleasing  bees  send  forth  their  humming  sound 
On  tops  of  flowers,  or  where  fresh  dews  abound. 
The  elms  are  burdened  with  the  fruitful  vine, 
And  round  the  posts  the  shady  vine  leaves  twine. 
The  trees  wide  spread  afford  us  shady  bowers, 
Their  foliage  shielding  from  the  noonday  hours. 
The  chatt'ring  birds  a  sweet  tide  pour  along, 
Soothing  the  ears  with  their  melodious  song. 


64          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE  LATIN. 

Thus  gardens  cheer,  attract,  hold  in  delight, 
Give  the  limbs  vigor,  captivate  the  sight, 
Lighten  the  troubles  which  distress  mankind, 
And  shield  from  anguish  the  afflicted  mind. 
In  many  ways  great  joy  their  culture  yields, 
When  labor  finds  return  in  grateful  fields. 


EPITAPH  ON  A  DOG. 

I  BARKED  at  thieves,  when  lovers  came  was  mute 
This  did  the  master  and  the  mistress  suit ! 


MENANDER  AND  TERENCE. 

Translated  from  the  Latin  of  TANAQUIL  FABER  (the  father  of   Madame    Dacler), 
and  prefixed  to  his  edition  of  Terence,  1671. 

r  I  AHE  Graces,  mourning,  were  with  grief  depressed, 

Life  having  left  .Menander's  sacred  breast ; 
His  spirit  wafted  to  Elysian  shore, 
They  traverse  valleys,  groves,  and  mountains  o'er, 
With  cheeks  suffused  with  tears  ;.  and,  full  of  woes, 
They  seek  new  seats,  new  temples  for  repose. 
When  Venus  saw  the  Graces  thus  in  grief, 
Their  labor  vain,  she  sought  to  give  relief  ; 


MENANDER  AND   TERENCE.  65 

With  foresight  blessed,  her  honeyed  mouth  outflows 
With  words  like  these,  their  spirits  to  compose  : 

"  My  dear  companions,  and  my  faithful  train, 
Without  whose  presence  all  my  gifts  are  vain, 
Receive,  ye  Graces,  comfort,  thus  distressed, 
Great  is  your  loss,  and  great  by  all  confessed ; 
But  from  your  hearts  dispel  all  anxious  fears, 
Although  the  loss  has  well  deserved  our  tears. 
Live  on,  live  on  !  there  come  yet  better  days  : 
When  thrice  ten  lustres  Phoebus  sheds  his  rays, 
And  with  his  shining  car  enlivens  earth, 
In  distant  Carthage  dawns  a  poet's  birth. 
This  poet  hailing  from  the  Afric  shore, 
And  none  more  pleasing  to  the  world  before, 
Gladly  your  former  honors  will  restore. 
He  will  rebuild  the  temples,  now  o'erthrown, 
When  future  times  Menander's  verse  disown  ; 
Nor  will  he  fear  the  taunt  of  envious  knave, 
Nor  the  dread  sweep  of  time's  encroaching  wave  ; 
But  his  fresh  efforts,  meeting  constant  praise, 
Will  flourish  more  as  onward  roll  the  days. 
When  time  the  Grecian  drama  shall  confound, 
With  Afric  verse  the  playhouse  shall  resound. 

We  then,  we  then,  dear  Graces,  will  perceive, 
With  so  much  good,  how  little  cause  to  grieve." 


66  FROM  THE  LATIN. 


From  TANAQUIL  FABER'S  edition  of  Terence  :  — 

SACRUM  Menandri  pectus 
Aura  jam  reliquerat, 
Vagulaque  animula 
Elysias  penetrarat  oras. 
Turn  dolore  percitae, 
Virgineasque 
Suffusae  lacrymis  genas, 
Hue  et  illuc  cursitarunt 
Perque  lucos,  perque  montes, 
Perque  vallium  sinus, 
Cursitarunt  Gratiae, 
Quasrentes  sibi 
Queis  nova  sedibus 
Templa  ponere  possent. 

Illas  aligeri 

Dulcis  mater  Amoris 

Languidasque,  fessulasque 

Cum  videret  irritum 

Suscepisse  laborem. 

Tales,  futuri  provida  temporis, 

Nectareo  Dea 

Fudit  ore  loquelas. 


MENANDER   AND   TERENCE.  6/ 

O  mihi  perpetuse  comites,  mihi  turba  fidelis, 

Queis  sine  nee  possit  ipsa  placere  Venus  : 
Accipite,  6  Divae,  subiti  solatia  casus, 

Perculsoque  gravem  ponite  corde  metum. 
Magna  quidem,  fateor,  clades,  ingensque  rtiina  est, 

Quae  possit  lacrymas  et  meruisse  meas  : 
Sed,  Divae,  durate  tamen,  durate,  puellae, 

Sera  etenim  reddet,  sed  meliora,  dies. 
Namque  ubi  ter  denis  explerit  tempora  lustris 

Phoebus,  sidereas  dum  teret  axe  rotas ; 
Nascetur  vobis  Afra  de  gente  sacerdos, 

Quo  null  us  toto  gratior  orbe  fuit. 
Is  vestros  olim  scriptis  reparabit  honores, 

Restituetque  suis  subruta  templa  locis. 
Quin  et  longa  dies  delebit  scripta  Menandri, 

Et  quandoque  levis  carmina  pulvis  erunt. 
Verum  Afris  scriptis,  queis  laeta  theatra  sonabunt, 

Tempora  qui  possit  ponere  nullus  erit 
Usque  nova  nam  laude  recens  Fabella  vigebit, 

Nee  metuet  lepidis  invida  secla  jocis. 
Tune,  6,  tune,  Divse,  mecum  clicetis  et  ipsae, 

Quantula  sunt  quantis  damna  repensa  bonis  ! 


68         TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 


TRANSLATIONS   FROM   THE    GREEK 
ANTHOLOGY. 


ARION. 

T  TAIL,  chief  of  Gods  !  whose  trident  sways  alone 

The  sea-encircled  earth  ;  whom  waves  obey, 
And  all  the  waters  of  the  teeming  deep, 

Where  swimming  monsters  swift  in  circles  play, 
And  music-loving  dolphins  lightly  leap, — 

Sea-nurslings  of  the  Nereids  divine, 
Who  as  a  mother  Amphitrite  own, 

The  wife  of  Neptune  from  great  Tethys'  line. 
When  faithless  sailors  doomed  a  wat'ry  grave, 

And  heartless  cast  me  in  dark  purple  wave, 
And  I  was  drifting  in  Sicilia's  bay, 

Me,  rough-necked,  flat  nosed,  crooked-back  dolphins 

bore, 
Furrowing  the  surface  of  the  trackless  way, 

To  Taen'rus'  welcome  port,  on  Pelops'  shore ! 


ANTIPATER.  69 


ANTIPATER. 

T  yC  7HEN  pirates  slew  him  on  wild  desert  shore, 

A  cloud  of  cranes  did  Ibycus  implore 
To  witness  bear,  the  cruel  deed  proclaim. 
Nor  did  he  pray  in  vain,  Erynnis  came. 
The  lucre-loving  race  no  rights  revere,  , 
Nor  ever  hold  avenging  Gods  in  fear. 
They  were  convicted  in  Sisyphia's  land, 
Where  cranes  with  clamor  punishment  demand. 
Egisthus  killed  a  poet ;  and  the  eye 
Of  black  veiled  Furies,  vainly  sought  to  fly. 


FARMER  Archippus,  by  disease  oppressed, 

About  to  die,  his  children  thus  addressed  : 

"  My  children  dear,  the  plough,  the  spade,  employ, 

And  for  my  sake  a  rustic  life  enjoy ; 

Avoid  the  dangers  and  the  treach'rous  breeze 

And  toilsome  labors  of  the  stormy  seas. 

A  mother's  more  than  stepdame's  love  we  crave, 

So  earth  more  precious  than  the  surging  wave." 


THOUGH  Plato's  body  in  the  earth  recline, 
His  soul  is  happy  with  the  Gods  divine. 


70          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

His  life  divine  the  distant  nations  own, 
His  daily  life  with  daily  beauty  shone : 
The  good  are  honored  wheresoever  known. 


T 


D  I  O  T  I  M  U  S. 
ANTAEUS  AND  HERCULES. 
HE  son  of  Neptune  and  the  son  of  Jove 


In  youthful,  brave  and  wrestling  contest  strove. 
No  brazen  vessel  the  reward  of  strife, 
But  a  pure  struggle  for  the  prize  of  life. 
Antaeus  crushed  by  Jove's  immortal  son, 
By  Greece,  not  Libya,  was  the  combat  won ! 


RUFINUS. 

HPRULY  there  are  Graces  four, 
Counting  her  that  I  adore. 
Themis,  Pallas,  have  combined 
Her  to  gift  with  arts  refined  : 
Lip  persuasive,  speaking  eye, 
She  with  Beauty's  Queen  can  vie  ; 
In  her  voice  hear  Music's  powers  ; 
Her  step  is  like  the  vernal  Hours. 


RUFINUS.  71 


ON  MY  MISTRESS. 

WITH  lips  persuasive,  speaking  eyes, 
With  Beauty's  Queen  my  Doris  vies  ; 
The  vernal  Hours  with  her  rejoice ; 
Calliope  has  lent  her  voice  ; 
Themis,  Minerva,  have  combined 
To  gift  with  art,  exalt  her  mind. 
And  truly  we  have  Graces  four, 
Counting  the  mistress  I  adore ! 


DERKULIS. 


Two  Venuses,  four  Graces,  ten  Muses  we  have  herc 
A  Grace,  a  Muse,  a  Venus  in  Derkulis  appear  ! 


RHODOPE. 

RHODOPE,  proud  in  beauty,  my  salutation  dares  deride, 
Spurning  my  garlands  from  her  gate,  in  the  tempest 

of  her  pride. 
Now,  age  and  wrinkles,  quickly  come,  quickly  hasten 

to  invade  ; 
For  only  you  can  have  the  power  to  humanize  this 

maid ! 


72          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE  GREEK. 


RHODA,  Rhodope,  Mellita,  all  fair, 
Made  me  a  judge  their  beauties  to  compare 
Like  Goddesses,  conspicuous  they  stood, 
And  only  wanted  the  nectarean  blood. 
Remembering  Paris,  suffering  Troja's  fall, 
As  all  divine  I  quickly  crowned  them  all ! 


MEONIS. 


PALLAS  and  Juno,  when  my  girl  they  spied, 
Both  said  the  shepherd's  judgment  we  abide  ; 
Now  Beauty's  prize  let  Meonis  obtain, 
For  conquered  twice,  if  we  contest  again  ! 


RHODA,  to  thee  I  send  a  garland,  wove 

From  flowers  late  gathered  by  these  hands  of  mine. 

Here  lily,  celandine,  and  budding  rose, 

The  tender  daffodil,  the  violet  blue. 

When  crowned  with  these,  abate  thy  lofty  pride : 

Thyself,  the  flowers,  the  garland,  all  will  fade. 


SIMMIAS.  73 


SIMMIAS. 
EPITAPH  ON  SOPHOCLES. 

A  ROUND  this  place  where  Sophocles  reclines, 

Let  ivy  silent  creep,  and  fruitful  vines  ; 
Let  palm-trees  overhang  his  honored  tomb, 
And  flowering  roses  shed  a  sweet  perfume. 
Gifted  with  pleasant  words  and  precepts  wise, 
Muses  and  Graces  were  his  choice  allies  ! 


THEOCRITUS. 
EPITAPH  ON  HIPPONAX. 

A    POET,  Hipponax,  here  lies  ! 

His  tomb  the  bad  access  denies  ; 
Honest  and  well  born,  here  repose, 
Or,  if  you  wish,  in  quiet,  doze  ! 


74          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 


ANACREON. 

was  brave,  his  tomb  behold  ! 
War  spares  the  coward,  sweeps  away  the  bold. 

NOSSIS,   THE    LOCRIAN    SAPPHO. 
ON  A  PORTRAIT. 

TV/TELINNA'S  self  is  here  portrayed, 

In  all  her  mother's  charms  arrayed. 
The  loving  face  and  eyes,  you  see, 
Turn  as  I  turn,  and  follow  me. 
'Tis  well  to  see  the  -parent's  grace 
Reflected  in  the  daughter  s  face  ! 

PLATO. 


/nr*HEY  speak  but  idly  who  Nine  Muses  own, 

Showing  that  Sappho  was  to  them  unknown. 


ANOTHER. 


THEY  idly  speak,  who  speak  of  Muses  Nine ; 
Behold  a  tenth  in  Sappho's  glowing  line ! 


w 


AUTHORS    UNCERTAIN.  ?$ 


AUTHORS  UNCERTAIN. 

HO,  married  once,  seeks  marriage-rites  again, 
Is  like  wrecked  sailor  daring  twice  the  main  ! 


THE  rose's  beauty  in  brief  space  is  gone  : 
Seeking  for  roses,  you  find  left  a  thorn ! 


ALCMEON  was  a  bard,  but  not  renowned  ; 
Nor  was  his  head  with  laurel  garlands  crowned. 
Alcman  I  have  in  mind,  whose  sounding  lyre 
First  gave  the  Dorian  chant  impassioned  fire ! 


ALTHOUGH  remote  from  home  you  meet  with  death, 
Be  not  disturbed,  where'er  you  part  with  breath  ; 
From  Athens  — •  Meroe  —  the  path  is  straight 
To  Charon's  boat,  to  Plutq^  gloomy  gate  ! 
To  Hope  ancTFortune  both,  a  long  farewell ! 
A  way  I've  found,  nor  with  you  care  to  dwell. 


76  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

Rejoicing  when  poor  mortals  you  deride, 
You  both  may  perish  in  your  fickle  pride. 
For  those  things  which  are  not,  as  in  a  dream, 
You  fain  to  us  would  make  substantial  seem. 
Perish,  thou  wench,  who  woe  for  ever  brings  ! 
Perish,  both  trulls,  well  versed  in  cheating  things  ! 
Exert  your  talents  on  those  left  behind, 
And  those  not  wise  you  easily  will  find ! 


Lo !  Epicharmus  crowned  at  home  with  fame, 
As  much  his  greater  learning  I  proclaim 
As  the  bright  sun  excels  the  starry  train  : 
Others  are  streamlets,  he  the  bounding  main  ! 


PAULUS    SILENTARIUS. 

TVTOR  fortune's  favors  hold  in  much  respect, 

Nor  let  dark  care  thy  freedom,  ease,  affect. 
Hither  and  thither  agitating  strife 
Of  restless  winds  oppose  the  course  of  life. 
Virtue  is  steadfast,  has  enduring  throne, 
Life's  surging  billows  calmed  by  her  alone. 


ANTIPHILUS   OF  BYZANTIUM.  77 


SlLENTARIUS   TO   HIS    FRIEND   AOATHIAS. 

LOVE  does  not  fairly  any  law  respect, 
No  other  frenzy  man  can  thus  affect. 
If  by  life's  other  cares  thy  soul  is  pressed, 
Then  love,  all  potent,  dwells  not  in  thy  breast. 
Though  somewhat  distant  from  thy  virgin  bride, 
What  is  that  love  which  lets  the  sea  divide  ? 
Swimming,  all  reckless  of  the  night's  dark  wave, 
Leander  proved  that  lovers'  hearts  were  brave. 
But  no  such  trial,  friend,  your  fates  require  : 
Ships  at  your  call,  if  transport  you  desire. 
Pallas  you  worship,  Venus  would  disarm  : 
Pallas  has  laws,  but  Venus  passion's  charm. 
Where  is  the  man,  obeying  Venus  well, 
Can  shape  his  course,  and  with  Minerva  dwell  ? 

ANTIPHILUS    OF   BYZANTIUM. 

"\7"E  hanging  branches  of  the  oaks  so  tall, 

Whose  lofty  arms  give  grateful  shade  to  all, 
When,  full  of  leaves,  more  dense  than  tiled  dome, 
Your  boughs  at  noontide  make  the  cricket's  home. 
Escaping  from  the  sun's  full  rays,  with  these 
Let  me  enjoy  your  foliage,  as  I  please. 


78  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 


CRINAGORAS   TO   THE   STATUE   OF   NERO. 

'"TPHE  works  of  Nero  all  the  world  control, 

From  East  to  West,  from  North  to  Southern 

Pole! 

O'er  German  nations  vict'ries  he  has  won, 
And  where  Armenia  hails  the  rising  sun. 
His  strength  in  arms  the  wild  Araxes  knows, 
And  slaves  who  dwell  where  Rhine's  fair  water  flows. 

ISIDORUS. 

storm,  nor  want  of  stars,  nor  Afric  wave, 
Sent  our  dear  friend  to  such  untimely  grave. 
All  tranquil  and  serene,  the  ship  confined, 
They  die  of  thirst,  unaided  by  the  wind. 
How  many  evils  mariners  befall, 
If  breeze  tempestuous,  or  if  none  at  all ! 

PHILODEMUS   TO   STATUE   OF   PAN. 

TN  this  marble  you  may  see 

Not  one  God,  but  truly  three. 
There  is  here  Herculean  breast, 
Head  of  Pan  ;  and,  for  the  rest, 


MELEAGER.  79 


Hermes'  legs  and  thighs  are  here. 
Stranger,  worship  and  revere  ! 
For  to  three  Gods  joined  in  one 
You  can  offer  orison. 


D  I  O  N  Y  S  I  U  S. 

V\  7OULD  I  were  Zephyr,  you  with  heat  oppressed 

Obliged  to  court  me  to  your  panting  breast ! 
Raised  by  your  hand,  borne  to  your  breast  of  snow, 
Would  I  were  blushing  rose  thereon  to  glow ! 
Would  I  were  lily  fairest  of  the  fair, 
Placed  in  your  bosom,  but  outrivalled  there ! 


MELEAGER. 

"D  Y  Venus  !  Cupid,  I  will  burn  your  bow  ; 

Your  quiver,  arrows,  in  the  fire  will  throw  ; 
All  I  will  truly  burn  ;  your  wanton  wiles 
May  end  in  laugh  sardonic,  though  with  smiles 
From  that  flat  nose  so  gayly  you  deride  ; 
If  you  cut  off  the  wings  of  Love  that  guide, 


80  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

Your  feet  with  brazen  fetters  I  will  bind, 
Although  Cadmean  vict'ry  we  may  find  ; 
For  if  at  home  with  courage  I  constrain, 
My  very  herds  will  feel  your  hurtful  reign. 
Leave  me,  depart !  though  hard  to  move  I  know 
Take  sandals,  on  swift  wings  to  others  go. 


SINGING  cricket  drunk  with  dews, 
Chatty,  lone,  and  rustic  Muse ! 
To  the  tops  of  trees  you  draw 
Your  tawny  body  like  a  saw, 
And  you  breathe  a  soft  desire, 
Sweet  as  music  from  the  lyre. 
As  the  wood-nymphs  pass  along, 
Sing,  my  friend,  new,  sportive  song, 
And  reply  to  father  Pan, 
Making  all  the  noise  you  can, 
When  I  seek  the  plane-tree  shade, 
When  I  fly,  of  Love  afraid  ; 
Seeking  there  my  peace  to  keep, 
In  a  quiet  noonday  sleep. 


ANTIPATER   OF  SIDON.  8 1 

ANTIPATER   OF   SIDON. 

INSCRIPTION  ON  THE  TOMB  OF  LAIS. 

A    MORTAL  Venus  here  claims  peaceful  rest, 

Lais  who  dwelt  on  sea-bound  Corinth's  shore, 
Charming  in  love,  in  gold  and  purple  vest, 
Pirene's  fountain  could  not  sparkle  more. 
There  were  proud  suitors  who  her  favors  bought, 
In  number  more  than  those  who  Helen  sought  ; 
Still  from  her  mouth  a  racy  flavor  breathes, 
And  from  her  hair  comes  frankincense  in  wreaths ; 
Expanding  flowers  that  bear  a  rich  perfume, 
Upspringing,  cast  a  fragrance  round  her  tomb. 
Venus,  outrivalled,  tore  her  beauteous  face, 
And  sighing  Love  bewailed  such  mournful  case. 
If  her  choice  favors  Lais  had  not  sold, 
For  Greece  ten  years  of  toils,  like  those  of  old. 


EPITAPH  ON  HOMER. 

HERE  Homer  the  divine  hath  found  repose  : 
He  sang  of  heroes  and  of  Troja's  woes. 
6 


77,'  IA.S7.  IV/r'V.s     FROM    Till'    GREEK, 


rn  I  I.I.I  ppi's   oi-'   TI  i  ESS  ILONICA. 

"\1t7ni'',N  on  the  tield    1  .eonidas   expiird, 

\,M  |Cei   \\  ith   pin  p!r  robe  the  ehiel   at  tiled  ; 


the  great  heft)  ipeaking  from  the  dead, 

••  (  flftl  diu-  to  h,  nl.  MS   I   refute/1  lu«  s;ii<l  ; 

••  ,\\\.i\  \\iih  i  flfta  !     To  shadea  below, 

Hornr  on  inv  I'.lorioiis  slndo1,  a  Sp.iil.in   I   will  go 


i 


^r^lll1'.  wo;illh  Ih.il  r.nnr  1o  TluMon  l»v  detCCn 
MenlppUS*  lOn  in  \  >".Hl\  h.ul  IvisrK-  spent. 
1  |i-.  Father's  !i  u-n«l  l-'.iuMiMnon  tluMi  IH\  -;nno 
'I'lu-ion's  piolivloi,  .spite  ol  his  ill  l.unr  ; 
Giving  Ins  daughter  in  IUM    \ontht'ul  i-lKirins, 
\Vilh  .1  large  dowry,  l»»  tlu-  spendthrift's  aims. 
\\\\[    I'hei.Mi.  th(Mi;;h  bevoiul  all  hope  restored 
I-'roin  pinehin;;  pOVtTt)    1«>  plenteous  board, 

Was  soon  regardless  «»i  Buctemon's  trust, 

Indulged  b.ise  appiMite.  u^.ipsed  to  lust. 
His  wanton  oi-ies  brought  a  rethuMit   \\.t\e. 
And  he  was  sunk,  IvvonJ  all  powei   tO  savd 


LI K 'I AM.  83 


Kii'  l<-mon  mom  in-01,  i\n\   now 

liiil   l«i    111'-  nupl  i;t!',,  ;ni'l  lh<-  Howry  goii«-. 

Al  I.-H"|]I  dlfCOVered,  what  he  should  have  known, — 

Another* i  licwillwn^ii-  who  wastti  Ins  own. 


A  ,  if  no!  Ion;*,  1o  live,  lliy  ^oorls  enjoy  ; 

Lou:-,  life  expe  ting,  oi  e  pente  he  coy : 

ll«:  [|  I  he  wise  man  liavin^  both  in  view, — 

Can  Spare,  -  An  spend,  and  temp'raie  '.ourse  pursue  ! 


A:.i>  :,hoit  i-;  life  when  all  things  prosp'rous  flow  ; 
ivjii.  is  lon#  to  lho.se  condemned  to  woe! 


in^  favor,  grant  the  favor 
What's  given  coldly  is  not  thought  a  boon. 


EMNKSTKA    TO    OltllVJ  MS. 


\)<)  you  intend  with  sword  lo  pierce  her  through, 
Whose  frame  produced,  whose  bosom  nourished  you  ? 


FOKJ  i  HE  ii  poteni,  ihou;'h  not  always  wise! 
The  proud  abases,  bids  the  lowly  rise. 


84          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

Although  the  gold  to  you  in  streams  should  flow, 
Your  pride  and  scorn  may  still  receive  a  blow. 
The  wind  attacks  not  herbs  that  grace  the  field, 
But  to  its  force  tall  oaks  and  plane-trees  yield. 

LUCIAN    OR   ARCHIAS. 


Pan's  mistress  doth  rejoice! 
Hear  you  not  young  Echo's  voice  ? 
Finding  sport  in  every  sound, 
That  the  shepherds  make  around  ; 
Hearing  every  thing  you  say, 
If  you  linger  in  her  way. 


MARIANUS. 

\\  7HERE  parted  earth  the  ocean  doth  divide, 

And  sea-washed  strait  to  shore  is  wand'ring 

wide, 

A  noble  palace  late  the  King  Serene 
Gave  to  Sophia,  his  much-honored  Queen. 
Shining  in  Europe,  Asia  sees  the  dome, 
Worthy  of  thee,  O  King  !  and  worthy  Rome. 


MARIANUS.  85 


To  A  STATUE  OF  CUPID  CROWNED. 

WHERE  is  that  bow  of  yours,  the  wings,  the  dart, 

And  those  sharp  arrows  meant  to  pierce  the  heart  ? 

Why  on  your  head  a  wreath,  why  garlands  hold  ? 

"  Stranger,  think  not  I  am  of  common  mould  ; 

Not  of  the  earth,  nor  son  of  earthly  joy, 

No  common  Venus  owns  me  for  her  boy. 

To  the  pure  mind  of  man  I  send  a  flame, 

And  lead  his  soul  to  heaven,  from  whence  it  came  ; 

Four  garlands  from  the  Virtues  I  entwine, 

And,  above  all,  the  prize  of  Wisdom  mine  !  " 


To  THE  GROVE  CALLED  THE  LOVE  GROVE  OF  AMASIA.* 

THIS  Grove  of  Love  hath  charms ;  the  western  breeze 
Sends    soothing   murmurs   through   the   well-pruned 

trees  ; 

On  dewy  meadow  sparkling  violets  glow, 
And  from  a  triple  source  the  waters  flow ; 

*Amasia,  capital  of  the  kings  of  Pontus,  the  modern  Amasiah. 
The  River  Iris  courses  through  the  city. 

In  some  of  our  country  towns  they  have  a  Love  Lane.  It  appears 
that  anciently  they  had  Love  Groves. 


86          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

And  here  at  noonday  Iris  rolls  its  wave, 
That  fair-haired  wood-nymphs  may  at  pleasure  lave ; 
Here  fruitful  vine  and  fertile  olive  bless, 
Exposed  on  all  sides  to  the  Sun's  caress  ; 
Here  all  around  the  nightingales  are  heard,  — 
Crickets  responding  to  the  tuneful  bird. 
Regard,  my  friend,  a  well-meant,  kind  request ; 
Pass  not  my  gate,  —  I  welcome  such  a  guest. 


ANOTHER  BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR  TO  THE  SAME  GROVE. 

COME,  restless  wanderer,  to  this  Grove  repair, 
Refresh  your  frame  and  breathe  this  fragrant  air ! 
'Mid  plane-trees  waters  flow  in  wanton  pride, 
From  many  sources  soothing  streamlets  glide  ; 
Dark  purple  violets  the  Spring  supplies  ; 
In  Summer,  roses  greet  admiring  eyes  ; 
The  dewy  meadows,  with  light  slope  inclined, 
Present  the  ivy,  branch  with  branch  entwined  ; 
Through  grassy  banks  the  river  circles  round, 
Girding  a  valley  with  rich  foliage  crowned. 
What  other  name  than  Love  befits  a  place 
Where  all  is  Beauty  and  where  all  is  Grace ! 


HARMODIUS  AND  ARISTOGITON.  87 


HARMODIUS   AND   ARISTOGITON. 

To  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  BOSTON  COURIER  : 

HAVING  noticed  your  new  translation  of  the  "  Harmodian  melody," 
I  send  one  for  your  critical  consideration.  Instead  of  "wreathed" 
I  use  "concealed,"  which,  differing  from  other  translations,  requires 
explanation. 

Harmodius  and  Aristogiton  conspired  with  others  to  free  Athens 
from  the  tyranny  of  the  family  of  Pisistratus,  intending  at  the  great 
festival  in  honor  of  Minerva,  called  the  Panathenae,  celebrated  once 
in  five  years,  to  destroy  Hippias,  the  actual  tyrant,  and  his  brother 
Hipparchus.  At  this  festival  the  old  men  were  accustomed  to  carry 
branches  of  olive  in  procession  ;  the  younger,  branches  of  myrtle,  — 
waving  them  as  they  passed  to  the  Temple  of  Athene,  who  had  the 
credit  of  being  the  founder  of  Athens,  and  whose  temple  there  was 
one  of  magnificence. 

Under  the  tyranny  of  Hippias,  the  citizens  were  not  allowed  to 
bear  arms,  except  in  religious  processions  as  part  of  the  pageant,  and 
then  only  shields  and  spears.  The  conspirators  planned  to  conceal 
a  small  sword,  or  more  properly  what  we  should  call  a  dagger,  in  the 
branches  of  the  myrtle-boughs  it  was  the  custom  to  carry.  Seeing 
one  of  their  number  in  familiar  discourse  with  Hippias,  the  conspira 
tors  concluded  they  were  betrayed  ;  and,  having  personal  cause  of  hate 
to  Hipparchus,  they  hastened  to  kill  him.  Harmodius  was  also  slain 
on  the  spot. 

Hippias,  when  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Hipparchus,  ordered  all 
bearing  arms  to  deposit  them,  and  put  to  the  question  those  discov 
ered  with  daggers.  The  tyranny  of  Hippias  continued  about  three 
years  after  :  he  was  then  exiled,  and  great  honors  were  then  paid  to 
Harmodius  and  Aristogiton.  Statues  were  erected,  and  the  strain 
attributed  to  Callistratus  written  to  celebrate  their  memory.  This 


88  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  TEE   GREEK. 


melody  was  the  Marseilles  Hymn  of  the  day ;  and  the  custom  pre 
vailed  at  Athens  of  singing  the  "  Harmodian  "  at  all  convivialities, 
those  singing,  waving  branches  of  myrtle  and  passing  them  from  one 
to  another,  —  a  custom  that  continued  as  late  as  the  time  of  Plutarch. 

The  impression  the  word  "  wreathed  "  gave  me,  when  first  reading 
the  strain  many  years  ago,  was  that  the  myrtle  was  twined  round  the 
sword  as  an  ornament. 

It  is  remarkable  that  Lord  Denman  should  have  mistaken  the  pur 
pose  of  the  myrtle-branches,  as  Sir  William  Jones,  in  his  Latin  Lyric 
to  Liberty,  expressly  recognizes  it  :  — 

"  Quis  myrtea  ensem  fronde  reconditura 
Cantabit  ?  Ilium  civibus  Harmodi 
Dilecte  servatis." 

In  the  Lysistrata  of  Aristophanes  is  a  similar  expression  :  — 

' '  Since  I  will  be  upon  my  guard,  and  bear 
The  sword,  henceforth  hid  in  a  myrtle  branch, 
And  in  the  forum,  near  Aristogiton, 
Appear,"  — 

there  being  a  column  in  honor  of  Aristogiton  in  the  forum  when 
Aristophanes  wrote,  one  hundred  years  after  the  death  of  Hippr.r- 
chus. 

In  the  Latin  translation  of  the  foregoing  passage,  by  Jos.  Scali- 

ger,  is  — 

"  Ensemque  clausuin  fronde  myrtea  geram," 

and  the  Greek  is  the  same  used  by  Callistiatus. 

In  the  Acharnians  of  Aristophanes,  in  one  place,  the  Lyric  is 
termed  the  "  Harmodian  melody ; "  and  one  threatens  that  another 
shall  not  sing  it  with  him, — that  is,  shall  not  be  his  companion  at 
feasts.  In  another  place,  when  speaking  of  preparation  for  an  in 
tended  feast,  the  Lyric  is  called  "  the  sweet  Harmodian  strain  "  :  — 

"  And  all  the  rest  is  now  in  readiness, 

Fair  dancers,  and  the  sweet  Harmodian  strain." 


CALLISTRATUS.  89 


The  history  of  the  scolion  is  given  in  the  introductory  prelection 
of  Dr.  Lowth,  in  1762,  where  it  is  said  in  a  note,  "  Conjuratos,  cum 
Hipparchum  adorirentur,  pugiones  suos  abdidisse  in  illis  myrti  ramis," 
which  the  commentator  thinks  were  carried  by  those  interested  in 
the  Panathenas. 

"  Concealed  "  expresses  the  meaning,  but  "  enwreathed  "  is  more 
poetical  and  expresses  the  meaning  better  than  "wreathed." 


CALLISTRATUS. 

TN  myrtle  concealed  this  sword  I  will  bear, 

Like  Harmodius  and  Aristogiton  the  brave, 
When  the  tyrant  Hipparchus  they  slew, 

When  just  laws  to  Athens  they  gave. 
Though  long  from  this  earth  your  spirit  has  fled, 

Beloved  Harmodius  !  you  never  were  dead, 
But  with  swift-footed  Achilles,  with  Diomed,  rest,  - 

Translated,  like  them,  to  the  Isles  of  the  Blest ! 
My  sword  in  myrtle  concealed  I  will  wave, 

Like  those  heroes  so  dear,  those  heroes  so  brave, 
By  whom,  at  Athene's  magnificent  fane, 

That  man,  the  tyrant  Hipparchus,  was  slain ! 
These  heroes  in  glory  immortal  shall  reign, 

For  Justice  prevailed,  when  the  tyrant  was  slain. 


90  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 


ALCEUS. 

To  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  BOSTON  COURIER  :  — 

Of  the  poet  Alcasus,  the  inventor  of  the  Alcaic  measure,  but  few  frag 
ments  remain.  It  seems  to  be  understood  that  Horace  was  much 
indebted  to  him.  In  the  Grecian  Epigrams,  Alcaeus  is  ranked  with 
'Pindar,  and  was  celebrated  in  early  song  as  a  high-toned  patriot,  was 
illustrious  for  his  opposition  to  tyranny,  and  for  the  force  and  noble 
ness  of  his  verse,  for  which  he  is  greatly  commended  by  Horace,  and 
especially  by  Quintilian,  for  his  verses  written  against  tyrants. 

Speaking  of  Alcasus,  Athenaeus  says  :  "  For  this  poet  will  be 
found  to  have  been  in  the  habit  of  drinking  at  every  season  and  in 
every  imaginable  condition  of  affairs." 

Sir  William  Jones  found  in  ^lius  Aristides  the  sentiment  of  Alcaeus 
quoted,  but  not  his  verse.  The  Rhetorician  simply  says  :  By  The- 
mistocles  alone,  or  with  very  few  others,  does  this  saying  appear 
to  be  approved,  which,  though  Alcseus  formerly  had  produced,  many 
afterwards  claimed :  '  Not  stones,  nor  wood,  nor  the  art  of  artisans, 
make  a  State  ;  but  where  men  are  who  know  how  to  take  care  of 
themselves,  there  are  cities  and  walls.'  The  above  is  in  the  second 
volume  of  Jebb's  edition  of  Aristides.  Sir  William  Jones  arranged 
the  prose  of  Aristides  as  if  written  in  verse  by  Alcasus,  and  from  it 
made  his  paraphrase,  "What  constitutes  a  State?" 

In  the  first  volume  of  Aristides  is  a  similar  sentiment  in  prose, 
which  may  be  translated  :  "Neither  walls,  theatres,  porches,  nor 
senseless  equipage,  make  States ;  but  men  who  are  able  to  rely  upon 
themselves."  I  have  endeavored  to  give  a  literal  translation  in 
verse,  embracing  both  these  passages.  You  will  judge  whether, 
literally  translated,  it  is  not  as  forcible  as  the  famous  paraphrase. 


ALC^EUS.  91 


The  fragments  of  Alcaeus  are  not  only  few,  but  abrupt.  I  send 
you  a  translation  of  most  of  them  ;  and  having  in  view  the  character 
given  of  him  as  a  patriot,  and  as  being  fond  of  wine,  I  have  vent 
ured  to  imagine  what  he  wrote.  What  he  wrote  is  translated  as 
literally  as  possible,  the  part  added  is  noted  with  quotation-marks. 
It  must  not  be  imagined  that  Alcaeus,  though  a  lover  of  wine,  was  a 
Bacchanal.  The  Greeks  had  a  wine  not  intoxicating,  but  which  had 
a  pleasant,  exhilarating  effect,  similar  to  the  elevation  experienced 
from  a  cup  of  Hyson  tea,  by  persons  not  in  the  constant  use  of  that 
cheering  but  not  inebriating  beverage. 

The  following  fragments  are  found  in  Athenaeus  (and  in  Bergk, 
London  and  Leipsic,  1853).  Most,  if  not  all,  have  been  translated, 
but  not  by  an  American  hand. 

It  is  rather  remarkable  that  neither  Bland,  Merivale,  nor  any 
other  of  the  moderns  has  alluded  to  the  copious  Greek  Anthology 
edited  by  Eilhardo  Lubin,  as  early  as  1604.  There  is  a  royal  octavo 
volume  of  over  1000  pages  by  Lubin,  printed  in  1604,  dedicated  to 
the  most  illustrious,  most  powerful  Maurice,  Landgrave  of  Hesse. 
The  volume  contains  more  than  eighty  authors,  is  divided  into  seven 
books.  The  poems  are  not  fragments,  though  generally  short  pieces. 

It  should  be  understood  that  in  framing  the  fragments  the  editors 
exercise  a  somewhat  arbitrary  power.  Bergk  dicity  "  Carmen  hoc  ex 
variis  fragmentis  composui."  And  in  translating  such  fragments  the 
sense  may  be  fairly  given  without  especial  regard  to  the  editors'  col 
location. 

FRAGMENT   FIRST.       ' 

ALCAEUS'  ADVICE  TO  AN  AGRICULTURIST. 

73  Y  no  means  plant  a  tree  before  the  vine, — 

"  For  life's  chief  business  is  to  have  good  wine." 


92  TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 


SECOND. 

FAST  descending  is  the  rain, 
Fierce  the  tempest  on  the  plain, 
All  the  rivers  are  concrete. 
Let  the  fire  the  storm  defeat, 
Pile  on  wood  to  keep  me  warm, 
On  soft  pillow  rest  my  form. 
Place  sweet  wine  in  plenty  by, 
We  will  then  the  storm  defy. 
"  Let  the  earth  drink  up  the  rain, 
Let  it  dash  against  the  pane, 
All  its  dashing  shall  be  vain  ; 
Let  all  elemental  life 
Join  in  elemental  strife  ; 
Calmly  we  will  view  the  scene, 
No  dark  care  shall  intervene. 
With  our  minds  attuned  to  ease, 
What  to  us  the  wildest  breeze, 
Or  the  rage  of  warring  seas  ? 
Nought  the  constant  mind  is  swayed, 
Though  the  world  is  disarrayed  ; 
Never  fearing  outward  foes, 
We  securely  will  repose. 


ALC^EUS.  93 


Doris,  bring  a  cheering  bowl,  — 
Let  the  storm  at  venture  roll ; 
Pile  on  wood  to  keep  us  warm, 
We  will  then  defy  the  storm." 

THIRD. 

FEARLESS  the  cricket  from  the  leaves  sings  shrill. 
When  thistles  bloom,  women  are  bent  on  ill  ; 
Men  are  unmanned  when  Sirius  rules  the  hour, 
And  heads  and  knees  own  his  relaxing  power. 
And  when  he  burns,  support  thyself  with  wine  : 
Oppressive  heat  demands  a  draught  divine. 

FOURTH. 

LET  us  drink,  while  drink  we  can, 
For  a  day  is  but  a  span : 
Let  us  wait  not  for  a  light  ; 
Come,  we  will  forestall  the  night. 
Bring  rare  cups  of  varied  hues, 
Such  as  Bacchus'  self  might  choose  ; 
Fill  the  goblets  to  the  brim, 
When  we  drink  a  health  to  him. 
Pour  the  wine  by  Jove's  son  given, 
Care  forgot,  and  earth  is  heaven. 


94          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

Soon  as  one  glass  then  is  gone, 

Doris,  bring  another  on. 

"  And  the  wine  we  call  dark  Greek, 

Wine  that  makes  the  dumb  to  speak, 

Freely  pass  to  all  around, 

Till  all  hearts  with  mirth  abound  ; 

Drinking  this,  the  circling  blood 

Cannot  flow  in  sluggish  flood  ; 

But  all  vapors  disappear, 

And  the  mind's  left  bright  and  clear." 

FIFTH. 

HAIL,  Pan  !  renowned  Arcadia  controlling  ; 

Hail,  Pan  !  with  dancing  Bacchus  well  allied  ; 
In  joyful  strains  exulting  sing  to  me, 

The  gracious  gods  gave  victory  to  our  side. 
We  conquered,  as  we  wished,  sustained  by  all   the 

gods  that  we  revere, 

From  Pandrosos,  the  all-refreshing,  to  Athene,  ever 
dear. 

SIXTH. 

WITH  brass  my  spacious  mansion  shineth  bright, 
With  crests  of  horse-hair  flowing  fair  and  white ; 


ALC2EUS.  95 


And  glittering  helmets  on  my  walls  in  line, 
Designed  for  heroes,  ornamental  shine ; 
See  splendid  greaves  that  hidden  nails  enclose, 
Which  sure  defence  to  strongest  arms  oppose  ; 
Breast-plates  and  purest  linen ;  hollow  shields, 
By  cowards  thrown  away  on  battle-fields  ; 
And  many  girdles  ;  and  Chalcidian  swords  ; 
And  warlike  garments,  —  these  my  pen  records, 
As  first  among  the  spoils  by  me  acquired, 
When  martial  ardor  first  my  bosom  fired. 

SEVENTH. 

Nor  porches,  theatres,  nor  stately  halls, 

Nor  senseless  equipage,  nor  lofty  walls, 

Nor  towers  of  wood  or  stone,  nor  workmen's  arts, 

Compose  a  State  ;  but  men  with  daring  hearts, 

Who  on  themselves  rely  to  meet  all  calls, 

Compose  a  State,  —  it  needs  not  other  walls  ! 

EIGHTH. 

FIERCELY  now  the  wave  advancing, 

Sea  of  trouble  it  will  bring  ; 
And  the  ship  is  madly  dancing, 

"  And  her  timbers  moaning  sing : 


96          TRANSLATIONS  FROM  THE   GREEK. 

Now  the  ship  forlorn  is  riding, 

Who  her  courses  now  can  keep  ? 
Who  the  pilot  that  is  guiding 

This  vext  bark  upon  the  deep  ? 
Rudderless,  she  now  is  dashing 

Onward,  to  a  rock-bound  shore, 
Where  the  waves,  in  fury  lashing, 

Echo  ocean's  sullen  roar  ! 
Behold,  she  plunges  reckless  on  : 

\Vill  she  ever  harbor  bring  ? 
With  sails  and  masts  and  rudder  gone, 

Round  us  seabirds  dirges  sing. 
From  what  source  can  come  salvation  ? 

Lo,  the  night  still  darker  grows, 
Who  can  save  this  sinking  nation 

From  accumulating  woes  ? 
See  a  country  over-laden 

With  injustice  it  should  spurn ! 
Hail,  Astrea,  star-bright  maiden  ! 

Come  !  to  earth  again  return. 
But  the  virgin  could  not  tarry 

With  these  wreckers  at  the  helm  ; 
For  the  burthens  that  they  carry 

Any  bark  would  overwhelm  !  " 


ALGOUS.  97 


NINTH. 

WHENCE  these  winds  impetuous  blow  • 

Is  not  in  my  gift  to  know ; 

One  wave  in  another  lost, 

Our  dark  ship  'mid  ocean  tost, 

O'er  our  noble  deck  the  sea 

Seems  to  sweep  triumphantly. 

We  drag  anchor,  and  the  sail, 

Already  rent,  begins  to  fail. 

"  All  the  labors  of  the  builders, 

All  the  beauty  they  bestowed, 
Is  in  peril  from  this  tempest  ; 

And  the  worst  we  may  forebode. 
Those  who  owned  the  bark  have  trusted 

To  a  banded  pirate  crew  : 
Now,  the  keel  already  broken, 

What  remains  for  us  to  do  ? 
Are  we  men,  and  ask  the  question  ? 

Did  we  ever  freedom  prize  ? 
Where  the  compact  that  would  bind  us 

To  be  victimized  by  spies  ? 
If  there's  spirit  left,  or  manhood, 

In  our  country,  men  will  rise, 


98          TRANSLATIONS  FROM   THE  GREEK. 


And  throw  off  degrading  fetters 

Forged  by  knaves  they  should  despise. 
Wake,  then,  from  a  fatal  slumber  ! 

Swear,  by  all  your  sacred  fanes, 
That  the  future  shall  not  see  you 

Basely  hugging  servile  chains  ! 
Awake  !  arise,  lose  not  a  moment, 

Let  not  despots  hold  the  reins  ; 
Once  the  country  had  protectors, 

Who  released  you  from  your  chains. 
Save,  O  save,  the  bark  from  ruin, 

Though  the  winds  and  waters  rave ! 
If  you  Cannot  live  in  freedom, 

Earn  at  least  a  stoned  grave  !  " 


Cambridge  :  Press  of  John  Wilson  and  Son. 


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